Bend OR 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)
Bend, OR
Oregon · Population: 97,502
- Median HH Income$94,279
- Median Home Price$735,193
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+49.3%
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
Bend
97,502
New Bedford
100,731
New Bedford +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bend
N/A
New Bedford
N/A
Median Age
Bend
37.6
New Bedford
37.0
New Bedford +
Foreign Born
Bend
17.6%
New Bedford
20.7%
New Bedford +
White
Bend
65.5%
Bend +
New Bedford
57.5%
Black
Bend
2.8%
New Bedford
6.0%
New Bedford +
Asian
Bend
11.4%
Bend +
New Bedford
1.5%
Hispanic
Bend
17.3%
New Bedford
24.5%
New Bedford +
Spanish at Home
Bend
N/A
New Bedford
N/A
| Metric | Bend, OR | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,502 | 100,731 | New Bedford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.6 | 37.0 | New Bedford + |
| Foreign Born | 17.6% | 20.7% | New Bedford + |
| White | 65.5% | 57.5% | Bend + |
| Black | 2.8% | 6.0% | New Bedford + |
| Asian | 11.4% | 1.5% | Bend + |
| Hispanic | 17.3% | 24.5% | New Bedford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bend
$94,279
Bend +
New Bedford
$56,025
Per Capita Income
Bend
$51,659
Bend +
New Bedford
$30,475
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bend
$63,691
New Bedford
$85,405
New Bedford +
Unemployment Rate
Bend
4.2%
Bend +
New Bedford
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Bend
9.9%
Bend +
New Bedford
19.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bend
49.3%
Bend +
New Bedford
16.8%
| Metric | Bend, OR | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,279 | $56,025 | Bend + |
| Per Capita Income | $51,659 | $30,475 | Bend + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $85,405 | New Bedford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 7.6% | Bend + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.9% | 19.9% | Bend + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.3% | 16.8% | Bend + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bend
$735,193
New Bedford
$439,767
New Bedford +
Homeownership Rate
Bend
49.8%
Bend +
New Bedford
40.0%
| Metric | Bend, OR | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $735,193 | $439,767 | New Bedford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.8% | 40.0% | Bend + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bend
355
New Bedford
326
New Bedford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bend
3001
New Bedford
1086
New Bedford +
| Metric | Bend, OR | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 326 | New Bedford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 1086 | New Bedford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bend
26.5%
Bend +
New Bedford
36.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bend
8.9%
Bend +
New Bedford
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bend
16.0%
Bend +
New Bedford
22.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bend
6.5%
Bend +
New Bedford
11.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bend
17.7%
New Bedford
16.0%
New Bedford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bend
10.0%
Bend +
New Bedford
21.4%
| Metric | Bend, OR | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.5% | 36.3% | Bend + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 13.2% | Bend + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 22.0% | Bend + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.5% | 11.1% | Bend + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 16.0% | New Bedford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 21.4% | Bend + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bend
46.6°F
Bend +
New Bedford
51.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bend
11.4 in
Bend +
New Bedford
51.9 in
| Metric | Bend, OR | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.6°F | 51.8°F | Bend + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 11.4 in | 51.9 in | Bend + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bend
9.0 µg/m³
New Bedford
7.2 µg/m³
New Bedford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bend
55.0%
New Bedford
75.0%
New Bedford +
| Metric | Bend, OR | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | New Bedford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | New Bedford + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bend
26.1 min
Bend +
New Bedford
27.2 min
| Metric | Bend, OR | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.1 min | 27.2 min | Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bend leads in median household income at $94,279, while new Bedford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $439,767. On public safety, New Bedford is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 355 in Bend. Bend has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and New Bedford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bend scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.5%.
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