Charlotte NC 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)
Charlotte, NC
North Carolina · Population: 886,283
- Median HH Income$78,438
- Median Home Price$399,070
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+47.4%
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
Charlotte
886,283
Charlotte +
New Bedford
100,731
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charlotte
N/A
New Bedford
N/A
Median Age
Charlotte
34.4
Charlotte +
New Bedford
37.0
Foreign Born
Charlotte
18.1%
New Bedford
20.7%
New Bedford +
White
Charlotte
41.5%
New Bedford
57.5%
New Bedford +
Black
Charlotte
34.1%
Charlotte +
New Bedford
6.0%
Asian
Charlotte
6.3%
Charlotte +
New Bedford
1.5%
Hispanic
Charlotte
17.0%
New Bedford
24.5%
New Bedford +
Spanish at Home
Charlotte
N/A
New Bedford
N/A
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 886,283 | 100,731 | Charlotte + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.4 | 37.0 | Charlotte + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 20.7% | New Bedford + |
| White | 41.5% | 57.5% | New Bedford + |
| Black | 34.1% | 6.0% | Charlotte + |
| Asian | 6.3% | 1.5% | Charlotte + |
| Hispanic | 17.0% | 24.5% | New Bedford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charlotte
$78,438
Charlotte +
New Bedford
$56,025
Per Capita Income
Charlotte
$49,991
Charlotte +
New Bedford
$30,475
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charlotte
$59,120
New Bedford
$85,405
New Bedford +
Unemployment Rate
Charlotte
4.4%
Charlotte +
New Bedford
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Charlotte
11.7%
Charlotte +
New Bedford
19.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charlotte
47.4%
Charlotte +
New Bedford
16.8%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,438 | $56,025 | Charlotte + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,991 | $30,475 | Charlotte + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $85,405 | New Bedford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 7.6% | Charlotte + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.7% | 19.9% | Charlotte + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.4% | 16.8% | Charlotte + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charlotte
$399,070
Charlotte +
New Bedford
$439,767
Homeownership Rate
Charlotte
51.5%
Charlotte +
New Bedford
40.0%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,070 | $439,767 | Charlotte + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.5% | 40.0% | Charlotte + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
398
New Bedford
326
New Bedford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
1999
New Bedford
1086
New Bedford +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 326 | New Bedford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1086 | New Bedford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
30.1%
Charlotte +
New Bedford
36.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
10.1%
Charlotte +
New Bedford
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charlotte
16.4%
Charlotte +
New Bedford
22.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
New Bedford
11.1%
New Bedford +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
15.4%
Charlotte +
New Bedford
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Charlotte +
New Bedford
21.4%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 36.3% | Charlotte + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.1% | 13.2% | Charlotte + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 22.0% | Charlotte + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 11.1% | New Bedford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 16.0% | Charlotte + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 21.4% | Charlotte + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
59.9°F
New Bedford
51.8°F
New Bedford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
41.6 in
Charlotte +
New Bedford
51.9 in
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.9°F | 51.8°F | New Bedford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.6 in | 51.9 in | Charlotte + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charlotte
8.7 µg/m³
New Bedford
7.2 µg/m³
New Bedford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charlotte
75.0%
New Bedford
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | New Bedford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charlotte
26.7 min
Charlotte +
New Bedford
27.2 min
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.7 min | 27.2 min | Charlotte + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charlotte leads in median household income at $78,438, while charlotte offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $399,070. On public safety, New Bedford is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Charlotte. Charlotte has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and New Bedford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Charlotte scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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