Arlington TX vs New Bedford MA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Arlington, TX
Texas · Population: 394,769
- Median HH Income$73,519
- Median Home Price$313,683
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+33.1%
New Bedford, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 100,731
- Median HH Income$56,025
- Median Home Price$439,767
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+16.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Arlington
394,769
Arlington +
New Bedford
100,731
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Arlington
N/A
New Bedford
N/A
Median Age
Arlington
33.6
Arlington +
New Bedford
37.0
Foreign Born
Arlington
21.3%
Arlington +
New Bedford
20.7%
White
Arlington
43.2%
New Bedford
57.5%
New Bedford +
Black
Arlington
22.4%
Arlington +
New Bedford
6.0%
Asian
Arlington
7.3%
Arlington +
New Bedford
1.5%
Hispanic
Arlington
31.0%
Arlington +
New Bedford
24.5%
Spanish at Home
Arlington
N/A
New Bedford
N/A
| Metric | Arlington, TX | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 394,769 | 100,731 | Arlington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.6 | 37.0 | Arlington + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 20.7% | Arlington + |
| White | 43.2% | 57.5% | New Bedford + |
| Black | 22.4% | 6.0% | Arlington + |
| Asian | 7.3% | 1.5% | Arlington + |
| Hispanic | 31.0% | 24.5% | Arlington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Arlington
$73,519
Arlington +
New Bedford
$56,025
Per Capita Income
Arlington
$35,226
Arlington +
New Bedford
$30,475
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Arlington
$63,758
New Bedford
$85,405
New Bedford +
Unemployment Rate
Arlington
5.7%
Arlington +
New Bedford
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Arlington
13.1%
Arlington +
New Bedford
19.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Arlington
33.1%
Arlington +
New Bedford
16.8%
| Metric | Arlington, TX | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,519 | $56,025 | Arlington + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,226 | $30,475 | Arlington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $85,405 | New Bedford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 7.6% | Arlington + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.1% | 19.9% | Arlington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.1% | 16.8% | Arlington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Arlington
$313,683
Arlington +
New Bedford
$439,767
Homeownership Rate
Arlington
54.8%
Arlington +
New Bedford
40.0%
| Metric | Arlington, TX | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,683 | $439,767 | Arlington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.8% | 40.0% | Arlington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arlington
442
New Bedford
326
New Bedford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arlington
2339
New Bedford
1086
New Bedford +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 326 | New Bedford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1086 | New Bedford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Arlington
33.8%
Arlington +
New Bedford
36.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Arlington
12.0%
Arlington +
New Bedford
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Arlington
18.2%
Arlington +
New Bedford
22.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Arlington
18.4%
New Bedford
11.1%
New Bedford +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Arlington
16.0%
New Bedford
16.0%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Arlington
13.3%
Arlington +
New Bedford
21.4%
| Metric | Arlington, TX | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 36.3% | Arlington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 13.2% | Arlington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.2% | 22.0% | Arlington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 11.1% | New Bedford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 16.0% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 21.4% | Arlington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arlington
65.4°F
New Bedford
51.8°F
New Bedford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arlington
39.6 in
Arlington +
New Bedford
51.9 in
| Metric | Arlington, TX | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.4°F | 51.8°F | New Bedford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.6 in | 51.9 in | Arlington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Arlington
9.2 µg/m³
New Bedford
7.2 µg/m³
New Bedford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Arlington
55.0%
New Bedford
75.0%
New Bedford +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | New Bedford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | New Bedford + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Arlington
29.0 min
New Bedford
27.2 min
New Bedford +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.0 min | 27.2 min | New Bedford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Arlington leads in median household income at $73,519, while arlington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,683. On public safety, New Bedford is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Arlington. Arlington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and New Bedford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Arlington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.8%.
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