Bloomington MN 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)
Bloomington, MN
Minnesota · Population: 71,261
- Median HH Income$103,382
- Median Home Price$366,438
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+36.1%
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
Bloomington
71,261
New Bedford
100,731
New Bedford +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bloomington
N/A
New Bedford
N/A
Median Age
Bloomington
37.3
New Bedford
37.0
New Bedford +
Foreign Born
Bloomington
14.1%
New Bedford
20.7%
New Bedford +
White
Bloomington
72.7%
Bloomington +
New Bedford
57.5%
Black
Bloomington
8.6%
Bloomington +
New Bedford
6.0%
Asian
Bloomington
9.5%
Bloomington +
New Bedford
1.5%
Hispanic
Bloomington
5.1%
New Bedford
24.5%
New Bedford +
Spanish at Home
Bloomington
N/A
New Bedford
N/A
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,261 | 100,731 | New Bedford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.3 | 37.0 | New Bedford + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 20.7% | New Bedford + |
| White | 72.7% | 57.5% | Bloomington + |
| Black | 8.6% | 6.0% | Bloomington + |
| Asian | 9.5% | 1.5% | Bloomington + |
| Hispanic | 5.1% | 24.5% | New Bedford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bloomington
$103,382
Bloomington +
New Bedford
$56,025
Per Capita Income
Bloomington
$44,640
Bloomington +
New Bedford
$30,475
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bloomington
$69,467
New Bedford
$85,405
New Bedford +
Unemployment Rate
Bloomington
4.5%
Bloomington +
New Bedford
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Bloomington
6.5%
Bloomington +
New Bedford
19.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bloomington
36.1%
Bloomington +
New Bedford
16.8%
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $103,382 | $56,025 | Bloomington + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,640 | $30,475 | Bloomington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,467 | $85,405 | New Bedford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 7.6% | Bloomington + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.5% | 19.9% | Bloomington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.1% | 16.8% | Bloomington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bloomington
$366,438
Bloomington +
New Bedford
$439,767
Homeownership Rate
Bloomington
85.0%
Bloomington +
New Bedford
40.0%
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $366,438 | $439,767 | Bloomington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 85.0% | 40.0% | Bloomington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bloomington
284
Bloomington +
New Bedford
326
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bloomington
1992
New Bedford
1086
New Bedford +
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 284 | 326 | Bloomington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1992 | 1086 | New Bedford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
26.8%
Bloomington +
New Bedford
36.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
8.9%
Bloomington +
New Bedford
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bloomington
14.2%
Bloomington +
New Bedford
22.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
8.5%
Bloomington +
New Bedford
11.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
17.2%
New Bedford
16.0%
New Bedford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
11.4%
Bloomington +
New Bedford
21.4%
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.8% | 36.3% | Bloomington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 13.2% | Bloomington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.2% | 22.0% | Bloomington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 11.1% | Bloomington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 16.0% | New Bedford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 21.4% | Bloomington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bloomington
N/A
New Bedford
51.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bloomington
N/A
New Bedford
51.9 in
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 51.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 51.9 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bloomington
8.1 µg/m³
New Bedford
7.2 µg/m³
New Bedford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bloomington
75.0%
New Bedford
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | New Bedford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bloomington
27.0 min
Bloomington +
New Bedford
27.2 min
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.0 min | 27.2 min | Bloomington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bloomington leads in median household income at $103,382, while bloomington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $366,438. On public safety, Bloomington is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in New Bedford. Bloomington has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and New Bedford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bloomington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.8%.
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