Chicago IL 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)
Chicago, IL
Illinois · Population: 2,707,648
- Median HH Income$75,134
- Median Home Price$324,183
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+43.3%
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
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
New Bedford
100,731
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chicago
N/A
New Bedford
N/A
Median Age
Chicago
35.7
Chicago +
New Bedford
37.0
Foreign Born
Chicago
20.7%
New Bedford
20.7%
New Bedford +
White
Chicago
39.1%
New Bedford
57.5%
New Bedford +
Black
Chicago
28.4%
Chicago +
New Bedford
6.0%
Asian
Chicago
7.1%
Chicago +
New Bedford
1.5%
Hispanic
Chicago
29.6%
Chicago +
New Bedford
24.5%
Spanish at Home
Chicago
N/A
New Bedford
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 100,731 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 37.0 | Chicago + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 20.7% | New Bedford + |
| White | 39.1% | 57.5% | New Bedford + |
| Black | 28.4% | 6.0% | Chicago + |
| Asian | 7.1% | 1.5% | Chicago + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 24.5% | Chicago + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chicago
$75,134
Chicago +
New Bedford
$56,025
Per Capita Income
Chicago
$48,148
Chicago +
New Bedford
$30,475
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chicago
$68,110
New Bedford
$85,405
New Bedford +
Unemployment Rate
Chicago
7.9%
New Bedford
7.6%
New Bedford +
Poverty Rate
Chicago
16.8%
Chicago +
New Bedford
19.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chicago
43.3%
Chicago +
New Bedford
16.8%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $75,134 | $56,025 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,148 | $30,475 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $85,405 | New Bedford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 7.6% | New Bedford + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 19.9% | Chicago + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.3% | 16.8% | Chicago + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chicago
$324,183
Chicago +
New Bedford
$439,767
Homeownership Rate
Chicago
45.5%
Chicago +
New Bedford
40.0%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,183 | $439,767 | Chicago + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.5% | 40.0% | Chicago + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
344
New Bedford
326
New Bedford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
1842
New Bedford
1086
New Bedford +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 326 | New Bedford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1086 | New Bedford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
32.6%
Chicago +
New Bedford
36.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
12.0%
Chicago +
New Bedford
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chicago
16.0%
Chicago +
New Bedford
22.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chicago
13.6%
New Bedford
11.1%
New Bedford +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chicago
19.0%
New Bedford
16.0%
New Bedford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chicago
11.9%
Chicago +
New Bedford
21.4%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | 36.3% | Chicago + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 13.2% | Chicago + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 22.0% | Chicago + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 11.1% | New Bedford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 16.0% | New Bedford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 21.4% | Chicago + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
49.2°F
Chicago +
New Bedford
51.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
37.8 in
Chicago +
New Bedford
51.9 in
| Metric | Chicago, IL | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 51.8°F | Chicago + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 51.9 in | Chicago + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chicago
9.4 µg/m³
New Bedford
7.2 µg/m³
New Bedford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chicago
55.0%
New Bedford
75.0%
New Bedford +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | New Bedford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | New Bedford + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chicago
36.5 min
New Bedford
27.2 min
New Bedford +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.5 min | 27.2 min | New Bedford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chicago leads in median household income at $75,134, while chicago offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,183. On public safety, New Bedford is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Chicago. New Bedford has a lower unemployment rate at 7.6%, and New Bedford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chicago scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.6%.
Compare More Cities
Chicago, IL vs New York, NYChicago, IL vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Houston, TXChicago, IL vs Phoenix, AZChicago, IL vs Philadelphia, PAChicago, IL vs San Antonio, TX