Detroit MI 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)
Detroit, MI
Michigan · Population: 636,644
- Median HH Income$39,575
- Median Home Price$76,488
- Unemployment14.1%
- Bachelor's+17.6%
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
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
New Bedford
100,731
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Detroit
N/A
New Bedford
N/A
Median Age
Detroit
35.1
Detroit +
New Bedford
37.0
Foreign Born
Detroit
5.9%
New Bedford
20.7%
New Bedford +
White
Detroit
11.7%
New Bedford
57.5%
New Bedford +
Black
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
New Bedford
6.0%
Asian
Detroit
1.6%
Detroit +
New Bedford
1.5%
Hispanic
Detroit
8.0%
New Bedford
24.5%
New Bedford +
Spanish at Home
Detroit
N/A
New Bedford
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 100,731 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 37.0 | Detroit + |
| Foreign Born | 5.9% | 20.7% | New Bedford + |
| White | 11.7% | 57.5% | New Bedford + |
| Black | 76.8% | 6.0% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 1.5% | Detroit + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 24.5% | New Bedford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Detroit
$39,575
New Bedford
$56,025
New Bedford +
Per Capita Income
Detroit
$24,029
New Bedford
$30,475
New Bedford +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Detroit
$58,052
New Bedford
$85,405
New Bedford +
Unemployment Rate
Detroit
14.1%
New Bedford
7.6%
New Bedford +
Poverty Rate
Detroit
31.5%
New Bedford
19.9%
New Bedford +
Bachelor's Degree+
Detroit
17.6%
Detroit +
New Bedford
16.8%
| Metric | Detroit, MI | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,575 | $56,025 | New Bedford + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,029 | $30,475 | New Bedford + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $85,405 | New Bedford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.1% | 7.6% | New Bedford + |
| Poverty Rate | 31.5% | 19.9% | New Bedford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.6% | 16.8% | Detroit + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
New Bedford
$439,767
Homeownership Rate
Detroit
49.7%
Detroit +
New Bedford
40.0%
| Metric | Detroit, MI | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $76,488 | $439,767 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 40.0% | Detroit + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
471
New Bedford
326
New Bedford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
1590
New Bedford
1086
New Bedford +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 326 | New Bedford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1086 | New Bedford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
45.6%
New Bedford
36.3%
New Bedford +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
19.2%
New Bedford
13.2%
New Bedford +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Detroit
22.6%
New Bedford
22.0%
New Bedford +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.6%
New Bedford
11.1%
New Bedford +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
New Bedford
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Detroit
21.8%
New Bedford
21.4%
New Bedford +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 36.3% | New Bedford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 13.2% | New Bedford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.6% | 22.0% | New Bedford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 11.1% | New Bedford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 16.0% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 21.4% | New Bedford + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
50.3°F
Detroit +
New Bedford
51.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
31.3 in
Detroit +
New Bedford
51.9 in
| Metric | Detroit, MI | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 51.8°F | Detroit + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.3 in | 51.9 in | Detroit + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
New Bedford
7.2 µg/m³
New Bedford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Detroit
55.0%
New Bedford
75.0%
New Bedford +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | New Bedford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | New Bedford + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Detroit
27.3 min
New Bedford
27.2 min
New Bedford +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 27.2 min | New Bedford + |
Which City is Right for You?
New Bedford leads in median household income at $56,025, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, New Bedford is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Detroit. 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, New Bedford scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.3%.
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