Elk Grove 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)
Elk Grove, CA
California · Population: 177,221
- Median HH Income$122,229
- Median Home Price$637,623
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+38.0%
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
Elk Grove
177,221
Elk Grove +
New Bedford
100,731
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elk Grove
N/A
New Bedford
N/A
Median Age
Elk Grove
39.0
New Bedford
37.0
New Bedford +
Foreign Born
Elk Grove
25.0%
Elk Grove +
New Bedford
20.7%
White
Elk Grove
34.9%
New Bedford
57.5%
New Bedford +
Black
Elk Grove
10.9%
Elk Grove +
New Bedford
6.0%
Asian
Elk Grove
31.8%
Elk Grove +
New Bedford
1.5%
Hispanic
Elk Grove
18.0%
New Bedford
24.5%
New Bedford +
Spanish at Home
Elk Grove
N/A
New Bedford
N/A
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,221 | 100,731 | Elk Grove + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.0 | 37.0 | New Bedford + |
| Foreign Born | 25.0% | 20.7% | Elk Grove + |
| White | 34.9% | 57.5% | New Bedford + |
| Black | 10.9% | 6.0% | Elk Grove + |
| Asian | 31.8% | 1.5% | Elk Grove + |
| Hispanic | 18.0% | 24.5% | New Bedford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elk Grove
$122,229
Elk Grove +
New Bedford
$56,025
Per Capita Income
Elk Grove
$44,932
Elk Grove +
New Bedford
$30,475
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elk Grove
$77,230
New Bedford
$85,405
New Bedford +
Unemployment Rate
Elk Grove
6.7%
Elk Grove +
New Bedford
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Elk Grove
7.4%
Elk Grove +
New Bedford
19.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elk Grove
38.0%
Elk Grove +
New Bedford
16.8%
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $122,229 | $56,025 | Elk Grove + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,932 | $30,475 | Elk Grove + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $85,405 | New Bedford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 7.6% | Elk Grove + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.4% | 19.9% | Elk Grove + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.0% | 16.8% | Elk Grove + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elk Grove
$637,623
New Bedford
$439,767
New Bedford +
Homeownership Rate
Elk Grove
73.9%
Elk Grove +
New Bedford
40.0%
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $637,623 | $439,767 | New Bedford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.9% | 40.0% | Elk Grove + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elk Grove
503
New Bedford
326
New Bedford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elk Grove
2388
New Bedford
1086
New Bedford +
| Metric | Elk Grove, 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
Elk Grove
26.2%
Elk Grove +
New Bedford
36.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
10.9%
Elk Grove +
New Bedford
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elk Grove
15.9%
Elk Grove +
New Bedford
22.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
6.7%
Elk Grove +
New Bedford
11.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
13.2%
Elk Grove +
New Bedford
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
10.1%
Elk Grove +
New Bedford
21.4%
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.2% | 36.3% | Elk Grove + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 13.2% | Elk Grove + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 22.0% | Elk Grove + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.7% | 11.1% | Elk Grove + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 16.0% | Elk Grove + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.1% | 21.4% | Elk Grove + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elk Grove
N/A
New Bedford
51.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elk Grove
N/A
New Bedford
51.9 in
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 51.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 51.9 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elk Grove
7.9 µg/m³
New Bedford
7.2 µg/m³
New Bedford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elk Grove
75.0%
New Bedford
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Elk Grove, 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
Elk Grove
33.7 min
New Bedford
27.2 min
New Bedford +
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.7 min | 27.2 min | New Bedford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elk Grove leads in median household income at $122,229, 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 Elk Grove. Elk Grove has a lower unemployment rate at 6.7%, and New Bedford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Elk Grove scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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