Concord 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)
Concord, NC
North Carolina · Population: 106,518
- Median HH Income$84,752
- Median Home Price$384,688
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+41.7%
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
Concord
106,518
Concord +
New Bedford
100,731
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Concord
N/A
New Bedford
N/A
Median Age
Concord
36.2
Concord +
New Bedford
37.0
Foreign Born
Concord
12.5%
New Bedford
20.7%
New Bedford +
White
Concord
54.7%
New Bedford
57.5%
New Bedford +
Black
Concord
22.1%
Concord +
New Bedford
6.0%
Asian
Concord
6.7%
Concord +
New Bedford
1.5%
Hispanic
Concord
15.8%
New Bedford
24.5%
New Bedford +
Spanish at Home
Concord
N/A
New Bedford
N/A
| Metric | Concord, NC | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,518 | 100,731 | Concord + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 37.0 | Concord + |
| Foreign Born | 12.5% | 20.7% | New Bedford + |
| White | 54.7% | 57.5% | New Bedford + |
| Black | 22.1% | 6.0% | Concord + |
| Asian | 6.7% | 1.5% | Concord + |
| Hispanic | 15.8% | 24.5% | New Bedford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Concord
$84,752
Concord +
New Bedford
$56,025
Per Capita Income
Concord
$40,763
Concord +
New Bedford
$30,475
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Concord
$59,120
New Bedford
$85,405
New Bedford +
Unemployment Rate
Concord
4.8%
Concord +
New Bedford
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Concord
8.6%
Concord +
New Bedford
19.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Concord
41.7%
Concord +
New Bedford
16.8%
| Metric | Concord, NC | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $84,752 | $56,025 | Concord + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,763 | $30,475 | Concord + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $85,405 | New Bedford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 7.6% | Concord + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.6% | 19.9% | Concord + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.7% | 16.8% | Concord + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Concord
$384,688
Concord +
New Bedford
$439,767
Homeownership Rate
Concord
66.4%
Concord +
New Bedford
40.0%
| Metric | Concord, NC | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $384,688 | $439,767 | Concord + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.4% | 40.0% | Concord + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Concord
398
New Bedford
326
New Bedford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Concord
1999
New Bedford
1086
New Bedford +
| Metric | Concord, 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
Concord
33.5%
Concord +
New Bedford
36.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Concord
10.6%
Concord +
New Bedford
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Concord
16.6%
Concord +
New Bedford
22.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Concord
10.5%
Concord +
New Bedford
11.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Concord
15.2%
Concord +
New Bedford
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Concord
12.5%
Concord +
New Bedford
21.4%
| Metric | Concord, NC | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 36.3% | Concord + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 13.2% | Concord + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.6% | 22.0% | Concord + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 11.1% | Concord + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 16.0% | Concord + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 21.4% | Concord + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Concord
60.4°F
New Bedford
51.8°F
New Bedford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Concord
45.9 in
Concord +
New Bedford
51.9 in
| Metric | Concord, NC | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.4°F | 51.8°F | New Bedford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.9 in | 51.9 in | Concord + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Concord
8.7 µg/m³
New Bedford
7.2 µg/m³
New Bedford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Concord
75.0%
New Bedford
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Concord, 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
Concord
29.7 min
New Bedford
27.2 min
New Bedford +
| Metric | Concord, NC | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.7 min | 27.2 min | New Bedford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Concord leads in median household income at $84,752, while concord offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $384,688. On public safety, New Bedford is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Concord. Concord has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and New Bedford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Concord scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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