Birmingham AL 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)
Birmingham, AL
Alabama · Population: 199,322
- Median HH Income$44,376
- Median Home Price$137,201
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+30.7%
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
Birmingham
199,322
Birmingham +
New Bedford
100,731
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Birmingham
N/A
New Bedford
N/A
Median Age
Birmingham
35.9
Birmingham +
New Bedford
37.0
Foreign Born
Birmingham
4.4%
New Bedford
20.7%
New Bedford +
White
Birmingham
25.6%
New Bedford
57.5%
New Bedford +
Black
Birmingham
67.1%
Birmingham +
New Bedford
6.0%
Asian
Birmingham
1.4%
New Bedford
1.5%
New Bedford +
Hispanic
Birmingham
4.9%
New Bedford
24.5%
New Bedford +
Spanish at Home
Birmingham
N/A
New Bedford
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 100,731 | Birmingham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 37.0 | Birmingham + |
| Foreign Born | 4.4% | 20.7% | New Bedford + |
| White | 25.6% | 57.5% | New Bedford + |
| Black | 67.1% | 6.0% | Birmingham + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 1.5% | New Bedford + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 24.5% | New Bedford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Birmingham
$44,376
New Bedford
$56,025
New Bedford +
Per Capita Income
Birmingham
$31,616
Birmingham +
New Bedford
$30,475
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Birmingham
$51,690
New Bedford
$85,405
New Bedford +
Unemployment Rate
Birmingham
6.1%
Birmingham +
New Bedford
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Birmingham
25.2%
New Bedford
19.9%
New Bedford +
Bachelor's Degree+
Birmingham
30.7%
Birmingham +
New Bedford
16.8%
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $44,376 | $56,025 | New Bedford + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,616 | $30,475 | Birmingham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $85,405 | New Bedford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 7.6% | Birmingham + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.2% | 19.9% | New Bedford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.7% | 16.8% | Birmingham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Birmingham
$137,201
Birmingham +
New Bedford
$439,767
Homeownership Rate
Birmingham
45.1%
Birmingham +
New Bedford
40.0%
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $137,201 | $439,767 | Birmingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.1% | 40.0% | Birmingham + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
400
New Bedford
326
New Bedford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
1734
New Bedford
1086
New Bedford +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 326 | New Bedford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1086 | New Bedford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
42.2%
New Bedford
36.3%
New Bedford +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
19.2%
New Bedford
13.2%
New Bedford +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Birmingham
18.5%
Birmingham +
New Bedford
22.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
11.2%
New Bedford
11.1%
New Bedford +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
13.1%
Birmingham +
New Bedford
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
16.6%
Birmingham +
New Bedford
21.4%
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 36.3% | New Bedford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 13.2% | New Bedford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 22.0% | Birmingham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 11.1% | New Bedford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 16.0% | Birmingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 21.4% | Birmingham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
63.3°F
New Bedford
51.8°F
New Bedford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
53.7 in
New Bedford
51.9 in
New Bedford +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.3°F | 51.8°F | New Bedford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.7 in | 51.9 in | New Bedford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Birmingham
8.8 µg/m³
New Bedford
7.2 µg/m³
New Bedford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Birmingham
75.0%
New Bedford
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | New Bedford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Birmingham
23.2 min
Birmingham +
New Bedford
27.2 min
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 27.2 min | Birmingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
New Bedford leads in median household income at $56,025, while birmingham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $137,201. On public safety, New Bedford is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Birmingham. Birmingham has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, 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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