Clearwater FL 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)
Clearwater, FL
Florida · Population: 117,075
- Median HH Income$64,440
- Median Home Price$341,503
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+32.5%
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
Clearwater
117,075
Clearwater +
New Bedford
100,731
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Clearwater
N/A
New Bedford
N/A
Median Age
Clearwater
46.4
New Bedford
37.0
New Bedford +
Foreign Born
Clearwater
17.0%
New Bedford
20.7%
New Bedford +
White
Clearwater
70.3%
Clearwater +
New Bedford
57.5%
Black
Clearwater
10.2%
Clearwater +
New Bedford
6.0%
Asian
Clearwater
3.6%
Clearwater +
New Bedford
1.5%
Hispanic
Clearwater
17.1%
New Bedford
24.5%
New Bedford +
Spanish at Home
Clearwater
N/A
New Bedford
N/A
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,075 | 100,731 | Clearwater + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 46.4 | 37.0 | New Bedford + |
| Foreign Born | 17.0% | 20.7% | New Bedford + |
| White | 70.3% | 57.5% | Clearwater + |
| Black | 10.2% | 6.0% | Clearwater + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 1.5% | Clearwater + |
| Hispanic | 17.1% | 24.5% | New Bedford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Clearwater
$64,440
Clearwater +
New Bedford
$56,025
Per Capita Income
Clearwater
$42,934
Clearwater +
New Bedford
$30,475
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Clearwater
$65,328
New Bedford
$85,405
New Bedford +
Unemployment Rate
Clearwater
4.7%
Clearwater +
New Bedford
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Clearwater
15.4%
Clearwater +
New Bedford
19.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Clearwater
32.5%
Clearwater +
New Bedford
16.8%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,440 | $56,025 | Clearwater + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,934 | $30,475 | Clearwater + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $85,405 | New Bedford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 7.6% | Clearwater + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.4% | 19.9% | Clearwater + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.5% | 16.8% | Clearwater + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Clearwater
$341,503
Clearwater +
New Bedford
$439,767
Homeownership Rate
Clearwater
59.1%
Clearwater +
New Bedford
40.0%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,503 | $439,767 | Clearwater + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.1% | 40.0% | Clearwater + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
324
Clearwater +
New Bedford
326
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
1453
New Bedford
1086
New Bedford +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 326 | Clearwater + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1086 | New Bedford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
33.3%
Clearwater +
New Bedford
36.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
13.5%
New Bedford
13.2%
New Bedford +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Clearwater
16.8%
Clearwater +
New Bedford
22.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.7%
New Bedford
11.1%
New Bedford +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
15.6%
Clearwater +
New Bedford
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.0%
Clearwater +
New Bedford
21.4%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.3% | 36.3% | Clearwater + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 13.2% | New Bedford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 22.0% | Clearwater + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 11.1% | New Bedford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.0% | Clearwater + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 21.4% | Clearwater + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
73.8°F
New Bedford
51.8°F
New Bedford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
54.7 in
New Bedford
51.9 in
New Bedford +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 73.8°F | 51.8°F | New Bedford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.7 in | 51.9 in | New Bedford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Clearwater
7.2 µg/m³
New Bedford
7.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Clearwater
75.0%
New Bedford
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Clearwater
25.3 min
Clearwater +
New Bedford
27.2 min
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.3 min | 27.2 min | Clearwater + |
Which City is Right for You?
Clearwater leads in median household income at $64,440, while clearwater offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $341,503. On public safety, Clearwater is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in New Bedford. Clearwater has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and New Bedford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Clearwater scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.3%.
Compare More Cities
Clearwater, FL vs New York, NYClearwater, FL vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Clearwater, FLClearwater, FL vs Houston, TXClearwater, FL vs Phoenix, AZClearwater, FL vs Philadelphia, PA