Boise ID 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)
Boise, ID
Idaho · Population: 235,701
- Median HH Income$81,308
- Median Home Price$504,894
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+46.6%
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
Boise
235,701
Boise +
New Bedford
100,731
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boise
N/A
New Bedford
N/A
Median Age
Boise
38.2
New Bedford
37.0
New Bedford +
Foreign Born
Boise
7.2%
New Bedford
20.7%
New Bedford +
White
Boise
83.6%
Boise +
New Bedford
57.5%
Black
Boise
1.4%
New Bedford
6.0%
New Bedford +
Asian
Boise
3.4%
Boise +
New Bedford
1.5%
Hispanic
Boise
9.5%
New Bedford
24.5%
New Bedford +
Spanish at Home
Boise
N/A
New Bedford
N/A
| Metric | Boise, ID | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,701 | 100,731 | Boise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 37.0 | New Bedford + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 20.7% | New Bedford + |
| White | 83.6% | 57.5% | Boise + |
| Black | 1.4% | 6.0% | New Bedford + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 1.5% | Boise + |
| Hispanic | 9.5% | 24.5% | New Bedford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boise
$81,308
Boise +
New Bedford
$56,025
Per Capita Income
Boise
$48,274
Boise +
New Bedford
$30,475
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boise
$57,074
New Bedford
$85,405
New Bedford +
Unemployment Rate
Boise
3.8%
Boise +
New Bedford
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Boise
10.6%
Boise +
New Bedford
19.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Boise
46.6%
Boise +
New Bedford
16.8%
| Metric | Boise, ID | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,308 | $56,025 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,274 | $30,475 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,074 | $85,405 | New Bedford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 7.6% | Boise + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 19.9% | Boise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.6% | 16.8% | Boise + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boise
$504,894
New Bedford
$439,767
New Bedford +
Homeownership Rate
Boise
63.0%
Boise +
New Bedford
40.0%
| Metric | Boise, ID | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $504,894 | $439,767 | New Bedford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.0% | 40.0% | Boise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
251
Boise +
New Bedford
326
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
958
Boise +
New Bedford
1086
| Metric | Boise, ID | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 251 | 326 | Boise + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 958 | 1086 | Boise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
New Bedford
36.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
New Bedford
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boise
N/A
New Bedford
22.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
New Bedford
11.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
New Bedford
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
New Bedford
21.4%
| Metric | Boise, ID | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 36.3% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.2% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 22.0% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.1% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.0% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 21.4% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
49.9°F
Boise +
New Bedford
51.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
18.6 in
Boise +
New Bedford
51.9 in
| Metric | Boise, ID | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 51.8°F | Boise + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.6 in | 51.9 in | Boise + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boise
7.7 µg/m³
New Bedford
7.2 µg/m³
New Bedford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boise
75.0%
New Bedford
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boise, ID | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | New Bedford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boise
20.4 min
Boise +
New Bedford
27.2 min
| Metric | Boise, ID | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 27.2 min | Boise + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boise leads in median household income at $81,308, while new Bedford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $439,767. On public safety, Boise is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in New Bedford. Boise has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and New Bedford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³).
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