Carmel IN 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)
Carmel, IN
Indiana · Population: 100,501
- Median HH Income$134,602
- Median Home Price$570,592
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+74.5%
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
Carmel
100,501
New Bedford
100,731
New Bedford +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Carmel
N/A
New Bedford
N/A
Median Age
Carmel
40.5
New Bedford
37.0
New Bedford +
Foreign Born
Carmel
12.9%
New Bedford
20.7%
New Bedford +
White
Carmel
77.5%
Carmel +
New Bedford
57.5%
Black
Carmel
3.7%
New Bedford
6.0%
New Bedford +
Asian
Carmel
11.6%
Carmel +
New Bedford
1.5%
Hispanic
Carmel
5.0%
New Bedford
24.5%
New Bedford +
Spanish at Home
Carmel
N/A
New Bedford
N/A
| Metric | Carmel, IN | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,501 | 100,731 | New Bedford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.5 | 37.0 | New Bedford + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 20.7% | New Bedford + |
| White | 77.5% | 57.5% | Carmel + |
| Black | 3.7% | 6.0% | New Bedford + |
| Asian | 11.6% | 1.5% | Carmel + |
| Hispanic | 5.0% | 24.5% | New Bedford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Carmel
$134,602
Carmel +
New Bedford
$56,025
Per Capita Income
Carmel
$71,546
Carmel +
New Bedford
$30,475
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Carmel
$58,697
New Bedford
$85,405
New Bedford +
Unemployment Rate
Carmel
2.7%
Carmel +
New Bedford
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Carmel
3.7%
Carmel +
New Bedford
19.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Carmel
74.5%
Carmel +
New Bedford
16.8%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $134,602 | $56,025 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Income | $71,546 | $30,475 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $85,405 | New Bedford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 7.6% | Carmel + |
| Poverty Rate | 3.7% | 19.9% | Carmel + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 74.5% | 16.8% | Carmel + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Carmel
$570,592
New Bedford
$439,767
New Bedford +
Homeownership Rate
Carmel
74.6%
Carmel +
New Bedford
40.0%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $570,592 | $439,767 | New Bedford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.6% | 40.0% | Carmel + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
370
New Bedford
326
New Bedford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
1719
New Bedford
1086
New Bedford +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 326 | New Bedford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1086 | New Bedford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
30.8%
Carmel +
New Bedford
36.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
9.6%
Carmel +
New Bedford
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Carmel
12.5%
Carmel +
New Bedford
22.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Carmel
4.4%
Carmel +
New Bedford
11.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Carmel
16.2%
New Bedford
16.0%
New Bedford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Carmel
8.2%
Carmel +
New Bedford
21.4%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.8% | 36.3% | Carmel + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 13.2% | Carmel + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.5% | 22.0% | Carmel + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 4.4% | 11.1% | Carmel + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 16.0% | New Bedford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 21.4% | Carmel + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
51.6°F
Carmel +
New Bedford
51.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
42.2 in
Carmel +
New Bedford
51.9 in
| Metric | Carmel, IN | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 51.8°F | Carmel + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.2 in | 51.9 in | Carmel + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Carmel
10.1 µg/m³
New Bedford
7.2 µg/m³
New Bedford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Carmel
55.0%
New Bedford
75.0%
New Bedford +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | New Bedford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | New Bedford + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Carmel
26.4 min
Carmel +
New Bedford
27.2 min
| Metric | Carmel, IN | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.4 min | 27.2 min | Carmel + |
Which City is Right for You?
Carmel leads in median household income at $134,602, 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 370 in Carmel. Carmel has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and New Bedford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Carmel scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.8%.
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