Flint 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)
Flint, MI
Michigan · Population: 80,835
- Median HH Income$36,194
- Median Home Price$65,949
- Unemployment17.4%
- Bachelor's+13.1%
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
Flint
80,835
New Bedford
100,731
New Bedford +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Flint
N/A
New Bedford
N/A
Median Age
Flint
36.2
Flint +
New Bedford
37.0
Foreign Born
Flint
2.9%
New Bedford
20.7%
New Bedford +
White
Flint
34.4%
New Bedford
57.5%
New Bedford +
Black
Flint
56.6%
Flint +
New Bedford
6.0%
Asian
Flint
0.6%
New Bedford
1.5%
New Bedford +
Hispanic
Flint
4.5%
New Bedford
24.5%
New Bedford +
Spanish at Home
Flint
N/A
New Bedford
N/A
| Metric | Flint, MI | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 80,835 | 100,731 | New Bedford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 37.0 | Flint + |
| Foreign Born | 2.9% | 20.7% | New Bedford + |
| White | 34.4% | 57.5% | New Bedford + |
| Black | 56.6% | 6.0% | Flint + |
| Asian | 0.6% | 1.5% | New Bedford + |
| Hispanic | 4.5% | 24.5% | New Bedford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Flint
$36,194
New Bedford
$56,025
New Bedford +
Per Capita Income
Flint
$20,799
New Bedford
$30,475
New Bedford +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Flint
$58,052
New Bedford
$85,405
New Bedford +
Unemployment Rate
Flint
17.4%
New Bedford
7.6%
New Bedford +
Poverty Rate
Flint
34.4%
New Bedford
19.9%
New Bedford +
Bachelor's Degree+
Flint
13.1%
New Bedford
16.8%
New Bedford +
| Metric | Flint, MI | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $36,194 | $56,025 | New Bedford + |
| Per Capita Income | $20,799 | $30,475 | New Bedford + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $85,405 | New Bedford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 17.4% | 7.6% | New Bedford + |
| Poverty Rate | 34.4% | 19.9% | New Bedford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.1% | 16.8% | New Bedford + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Flint
$65,949
Flint +
New Bedford
$439,767
Homeownership Rate
Flint
54.9%
Flint +
New Bedford
40.0%
| Metric | Flint, MI | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $65,949 | $439,767 | Flint + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.9% | 40.0% | Flint + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
471
New Bedford
326
New Bedford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
1590
New Bedford
1086
New Bedford +
| Metric | Flint, 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
Flint
50.5%
New Bedford
36.3%
New Bedford +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Flint
19.3%
New Bedford
13.2%
New Bedford +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Flint
23.5%
New Bedford
22.0%
New Bedford +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Flint
11.7%
New Bedford
11.1%
New Bedford +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Flint
12.2%
Flint +
New Bedford
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Flint
25.3%
New Bedford
21.4%
New Bedford +
| Metric | Flint, MI | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 50.5% | 36.3% | New Bedford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.3% | 13.2% | New Bedford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 23.5% | 22.0% | New Bedford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 11.1% | New Bedford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 16.0% | Flint + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 25.3% | 21.4% | New Bedford + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
47.0°F
Flint +
New Bedford
51.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
31.7 in
Flint +
New Bedford
51.9 in
| Metric | Flint, MI | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.0°F | 51.8°F | Flint + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.7 in | 51.9 in | Flint + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Flint
10.7 µg/m³
New Bedford
7.2 µg/m³
New Bedford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Flint
55.0%
New Bedford
75.0%
New Bedford +
| Metric | Flint, 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
Flint
25.0 min
Flint +
New Bedford
27.2 min
| Metric | Flint, MI | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.0 min | 27.2 min | Flint + |
Which City is Right for You?
New Bedford leads in median household income at $56,025, while flint offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $65,949. On public safety, New Bedford is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Flint. 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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