Atlanta GA 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)
Atlanta, GA
Georgia · Population: 499,287
- Median HH Income$81,938
- Median Home Price$387,752
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+58.4%
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
Atlanta
499,287
Atlanta +
New Bedford
100,731
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Atlanta
N/A
New Bedford
N/A
Median Age
Atlanta
34.0
Atlanta +
New Bedford
37.0
Foreign Born
Atlanta
8.6%
New Bedford
20.7%
New Bedford +
White
Atlanta
39.9%
New Bedford
57.5%
New Bedford +
Black
Atlanta
46.9%
Atlanta +
New Bedford
6.0%
Asian
Atlanta
5.0%
Atlanta +
New Bedford
1.5%
Hispanic
Atlanta
6.3%
New Bedford
24.5%
New Bedford +
Spanish at Home
Atlanta
N/A
New Bedford
N/A
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 499,287 | 100,731 | Atlanta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 37.0 | Atlanta + |
| Foreign Born | 8.6% | 20.7% | New Bedford + |
| White | 39.9% | 57.5% | New Bedford + |
| Black | 46.9% | 6.0% | Atlanta + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 1.5% | Atlanta + |
| Hispanic | 6.3% | 24.5% | New Bedford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Atlanta
$81,938
Atlanta +
New Bedford
$56,025
Per Capita Income
Atlanta
$64,063
Atlanta +
New Bedford
$30,475
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Atlanta
$57,405
New Bedford
$85,405
New Bedford +
Unemployment Rate
Atlanta
5.9%
Atlanta +
New Bedford
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Atlanta
17.9%
Atlanta +
New Bedford
19.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Atlanta
58.4%
Atlanta +
New Bedford
16.8%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,938 | $56,025 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,063 | $30,475 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $85,405 | New Bedford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 7.6% | Atlanta + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 19.9% | Atlanta + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.4% | 16.8% | Atlanta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Atlanta
$387,752
Atlanta +
New Bedford
$439,767
Homeownership Rate
Atlanta
46.3%
Atlanta +
New Bedford
40.0%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $387,752 | $439,767 | Atlanta + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.3% | 40.0% | Atlanta + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
392
New Bedford
326
New Bedford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
1752
New Bedford
1086
New Bedford +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 326 | New Bedford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1086 | New Bedford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
29.3%
Atlanta +
New Bedford
36.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
10.6%
Atlanta +
New Bedford
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Atlanta
17.2%
Atlanta +
New Bedford
22.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.3%
New Bedford
11.1%
New Bedford +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
17.2%
New Bedford
16.0%
New Bedford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.1%
Atlanta +
New Bedford
21.4%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.3% | 36.3% | Atlanta + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 13.2% | Atlanta + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 22.0% | Atlanta + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 11.1% | New Bedford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 16.0% | New Bedford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 21.4% | Atlanta + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
N/A
New Bedford
51.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
51.5 in
Atlanta +
New Bedford
51.9 in
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 51.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5 in | 51.9 in | Atlanta + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Atlanta
9.8 µg/m³
New Bedford
7.2 µg/m³
New Bedford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Atlanta
55.0%
New Bedford
75.0%
New Bedford +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | New Bedford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | New Bedford + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Atlanta
28.7 min
New Bedford
27.2 min
New Bedford +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.7 min | 27.2 min | New Bedford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Atlanta leads in median household income at $81,938, while atlanta offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $387,752. On public safety, New Bedford is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Atlanta. Atlanta has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and New Bedford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Atlanta scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.3%.
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