Des Moines IA 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)
Des Moines, IA
Iowa · Population: 212,464
- Median HH Income$63,966
- Median Home Price$210,703
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+29.0%
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
Des Moines
212,464
Des Moines +
New Bedford
100,731
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Des Moines
N/A
New Bedford
N/A
Median Age
Des Moines
34.6
Des Moines +
New Bedford
37.0
Foreign Born
Des Moines
14.0%
New Bedford
20.7%
New Bedford +
White
Des Moines
66.9%
Des Moines +
New Bedford
57.5%
Black
Des Moines
12.0%
Des Moines +
New Bedford
6.0%
Asian
Des Moines
6.2%
Des Moines +
New Bedford
1.5%
Hispanic
Des Moines
16.0%
New Bedford
24.5%
New Bedford +
Spanish at Home
Des Moines
N/A
New Bedford
N/A
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 100,731 | Des Moines + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 37.0 | Des Moines + |
| Foreign Born | 14.0% | 20.7% | New Bedford + |
| White | 66.9% | 57.5% | Des Moines + |
| Black | 12.0% | 6.0% | Des Moines + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 1.5% | Des Moines + |
| Hispanic | 16.0% | 24.5% | New Bedford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Des Moines
$63,966
Des Moines +
New Bedford
$56,025
Per Capita Income
Des Moines
$36,459
Des Moines +
New Bedford
$30,475
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Des Moines
$61,226
New Bedford
$85,405
New Bedford +
Unemployment Rate
Des Moines
5.8%
Des Moines +
New Bedford
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Des Moines
14.9%
Des Moines +
New Bedford
19.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Des Moines
29.0%
Des Moines +
New Bedford
16.8%
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,966 | $56,025 | Des Moines + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,459 | $30,475 | Des Moines + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $85,405 | New Bedford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 7.6% | Des Moines + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.9% | 19.9% | Des Moines + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.0% | 16.8% | Des Moines + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Des Moines
$210,703
Des Moines +
New Bedford
$439,767
Homeownership Rate
Des Moines
60.5%
Des Moines +
New Bedford
40.0%
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,703 | $439,767 | Des Moines + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.5% | 40.0% | Des Moines + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
296
Des Moines +
New Bedford
326
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
1452
New Bedford
1086
New Bedford +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 326 | Des Moines + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 1086 | New Bedford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
39.4%
New Bedford
36.3%
New Bedford +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
11.8%
Des Moines +
New Bedford
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Des Moines
19.0%
Des Moines +
New Bedford
22.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
10.6%
Des Moines +
New Bedford
11.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
19.8%
New Bedford
16.0%
New Bedford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
16.4%
Des Moines +
New Bedford
21.4%
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.4% | 36.3% | New Bedford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 13.2% | Des Moines + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 22.0% | Des Moines + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 11.1% | Des Moines + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 16.0% | New Bedford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 21.4% | Des Moines + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
49.9°F
Des Moines +
New Bedford
51.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
35.6 in
Des Moines +
New Bedford
51.9 in
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 51.8°F | Des Moines + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.6 in | 51.9 in | Des Moines + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Des Moines
10.2 µg/m³
New Bedford
7.2 µg/m³
New Bedford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Des Moines
55.0%
New Bedford
75.0%
New Bedford +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | New Bedford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | New Bedford + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Des Moines
21.1 min
Des Moines +
New Bedford
27.2 min
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 27.2 min | Des Moines + |
Which City is Right for You?
Des Moines leads in median household income at $63,966, while des Moines offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,703. On public safety, Des Moines is safer with a violent crime rate of 296 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in New Bedford. Des Moines has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and New Bedford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New Bedford scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.3%.
Compare More Cities
Des Moines, IA vs New York, NYDes Moines, IA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Des Moines, IADes Moines, IA vs Houston, TXDes Moines, IA vs Phoenix, AZDes Moines, IA vs Philadelphia, PA