Baltimore MD 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)
Baltimore, MD
Maryland · Population: 577,193
- Median HH Income$59,623
- Median Home Price$191,668
- Unemployment6.6%
- Bachelor's+35.4%
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
Baltimore
577,193
Baltimore +
New Bedford
100,731
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baltimore
N/A
New Bedford
N/A
Median Age
Baltimore
36.1
Baltimore +
New Bedford
37.0
Foreign Born
Baltimore
8.8%
New Bedford
20.7%
New Bedford +
White
Baltimore
27.4%
New Bedford
57.5%
New Bedford +
Black
Baltimore
60.0%
Baltimore +
New Bedford
6.0%
Asian
Baltimore
2.5%
Baltimore +
New Bedford
1.5%
Hispanic
Baltimore
7.9%
New Bedford
24.5%
New Bedford +
Spanish at Home
Baltimore
N/A
New Bedford
N/A
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 577,193 | 100,731 | Baltimore + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 37.0 | Baltimore + |
| Foreign Born | 8.8% | 20.7% | New Bedford + |
| White | 27.4% | 57.5% | New Bedford + |
| Black | 60.0% | 6.0% | Baltimore + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 1.5% | Baltimore + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 24.5% | New Bedford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baltimore
$59,623
Baltimore +
New Bedford
$56,025
Per Capita Income
Baltimore
$39,195
Baltimore +
New Bedford
$30,475
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baltimore
$70,886
New Bedford
$85,405
New Bedford +
Unemployment Rate
Baltimore
6.6%
Baltimore +
New Bedford
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Baltimore
20.1%
New Bedford
19.9%
New Bedford +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baltimore
35.4%
Baltimore +
New Bedford
16.8%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,623 | $56,025 | Baltimore + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,195 | $30,475 | Baltimore + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $70,886 | $85,405 | New Bedford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.6% | 7.6% | Baltimore + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 19.9% | New Bedford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.4% | 16.8% | Baltimore + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baltimore
$191,668
Baltimore +
New Bedford
$439,767
Homeownership Rate
Baltimore
47.5%
Baltimore +
New Bedford
40.0%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $191,668 | $439,767 | Baltimore + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.5% | 40.0% | Baltimore + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
433
New Bedford
326
New Bedford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
1724
New Bedford
1086
New Bedford +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 326 | New Bedford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1724 | 1086 | New Bedford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
38.1%
New Bedford
36.3%
New Bedford +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
14.4%
New Bedford
13.2%
New Bedford +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baltimore
18.6%
Baltimore +
New Bedford
22.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
10.4%
Baltimore +
New Bedford
11.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.0%
New Bedford
16.0%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.1%
Baltimore +
New Bedford
21.4%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.1% | 36.3% | New Bedford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 13.2% | New Bedford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 22.0% | Baltimore + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 11.1% | Baltimore + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 16.0% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 21.4% | Baltimore + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
55.1°F
New Bedford
51.8°F
New Bedford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
41.9 in
Baltimore +
New Bedford
51.9 in
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.1°F | 51.8°F | New Bedford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.9 in | 51.9 in | Baltimore + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baltimore
7.6 µg/m³
New Bedford
7.2 µg/m³
New Bedford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baltimore
75.0%
New Bedford
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | New Bedford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baltimore
31.6 min
New Bedford
27.2 min
New Bedford +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 27.2 min | New Bedford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Baltimore leads in median household income at $59,623, while baltimore offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $191,668. On public safety, New Bedford is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 433 in Baltimore. Baltimore has a lower unemployment rate at 6.6%, and New Bedford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New Bedford scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.3%.
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