Chula Vista CA 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)
Chula Vista, CA
California · Population: 8,933
- Median HH Income$104,238
- Median Home Price$849,245
- Unemployment2.2%
- Bachelor's+26.9%
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
Chula Vista
8,933
New Bedford
100,731
New Bedford +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chula Vista
N/A
New Bedford
N/A
Median Age
Chula Vista
42.9
New Bedford
37.0
New Bedford +
Foreign Born
Chula Vista
20.0%
New Bedford
20.7%
New Bedford +
White
Chula Vista
65.7%
Chula Vista +
New Bedford
57.5%
Black
Chula Vista
0.7%
New Bedford
6.0%
New Bedford +
Asian
Chula Vista
0.7%
New Bedford
1.5%
New Bedford +
Hispanic
Chula Vista
36.5%
Chula Vista +
New Bedford
24.5%
Spanish at Home
Chula Vista
N/A
New Bedford
N/A
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 8,933 | 100,731 | New Bedford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.9 | 37.0 | New Bedford + |
| Foreign Born | 20.0% | 20.7% | New Bedford + |
| White | 65.7% | 57.5% | Chula Vista + |
| Black | 0.7% | 6.0% | New Bedford + |
| Asian | 0.7% | 1.5% | New Bedford + |
| Hispanic | 36.5% | 24.5% | Chula Vista + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chula Vista
$104,238
Chula Vista +
New Bedford
$56,025
Per Capita Income
Chula Vista
$49,562
Chula Vista +
New Bedford
$30,475
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chula Vista
$77,230
New Bedford
$85,405
New Bedford +
Unemployment Rate
Chula Vista
2.2%
Chula Vista +
New Bedford
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Chula Vista
4.5%
Chula Vista +
New Bedford
19.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chula Vista
26.9%
Chula Vista +
New Bedford
16.8%
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $104,238 | $56,025 | Chula Vista + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,562 | $30,475 | Chula Vista + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $85,405 | New Bedford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.2% | 7.6% | Chula Vista + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.5% | 19.9% | Chula Vista + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.9% | 16.8% | Chula Vista + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chula Vista
$849,245
New Bedford
$439,767
New Bedford +
Homeownership Rate
Chula Vista
71.4%
Chula Vista +
New Bedford
40.0%
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $849,245 | $439,767 | New Bedford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.4% | 40.0% | Chula Vista + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chula Vista
503
New Bedford
326
New Bedford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chula Vista
2388
New Bedford
1086
New Bedford +
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 326 | New Bedford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1086 | New Bedford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
26.6%
Chula Vista +
New Bedford
36.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
11.4%
Chula Vista +
New Bedford
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chula Vista
16.0%
Chula Vista +
New Bedford
22.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
12.4%
New Bedford
11.1%
New Bedford +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
15.7%
Chula Vista +
New Bedford
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
9.6%
Chula Vista +
New Bedford
21.4%
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.6% | 36.3% | Chula Vista + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 13.2% | Chula Vista + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 22.0% | Chula Vista + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 11.1% | New Bedford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 16.0% | Chula Vista + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 21.4% | Chula Vista + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chula Vista
63.5°F
New Bedford
51.8°F
New Bedford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chula Vista
9.8 in
Chula Vista +
New Bedford
51.9 in
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.5°F | 51.8°F | New Bedford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 9.8 in | 51.9 in | Chula Vista + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chula Vista
7.9 µg/m³
New Bedford
7.2 µg/m³
New Bedford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chula Vista
75.0%
New Bedford
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | New Bedford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chula Vista
26.9 min
Chula Vista +
New Bedford
27.2 min
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.9 min | 27.2 min | Chula Vista + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chula Vista leads in median household income at $104,238, 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 503 in Chula Vista. Chula Vista has a lower unemployment rate at 2.2%, and New Bedford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chula Vista scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.6%.
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