Gainesville FL 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)
Gainesville, FL
Florida · Population: 143,611
- Median HH Income$45,611
- Median Home Price$299,633
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
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
Gainesville
143,611
Gainesville +
New Bedford
100,731
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gainesville
N/A
New Bedford
N/A
Median Age
Gainesville
26.5
Gainesville +
New Bedford
37.0
Foreign Born
Gainesville
12.1%
New Bedford
20.7%
New Bedford +
White
Gainesville
59.2%
Gainesville +
New Bedford
57.5%
Black
Gainesville
21.6%
Gainesville +
New Bedford
6.0%
Asian
Gainesville
6.2%
Gainesville +
New Bedford
1.5%
Hispanic
Gainesville
13.4%
New Bedford
24.5%
New Bedford +
Spanish at Home
Gainesville
N/A
New Bedford
N/A
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 143,611 | 100,731 | Gainesville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 26.5 | 37.0 | Gainesville + |
| Foreign Born | 12.1% | 20.7% | New Bedford + |
| White | 59.2% | 57.5% | Gainesville + |
| Black | 21.6% | 6.0% | Gainesville + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 1.5% | Gainesville + |
| Hispanic | 13.4% | 24.5% | New Bedford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gainesville
$45,611
New Bedford
$56,025
New Bedford +
Per Capita Income
Gainesville
$30,282
New Bedford
$30,475
New Bedford +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gainesville
$65,328
New Bedford
$85,405
New Bedford +
Unemployment Rate
Gainesville
4.8%
Gainesville +
New Bedford
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Gainesville
28.0%
New Bedford
19.9%
New Bedford +
Bachelor's Degree+
Gainesville
51.7%
Gainesville +
New Bedford
16.8%
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,611 | $56,025 | New Bedford + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,282 | $30,475 | New Bedford + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $85,405 | New Bedford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 7.6% | Gainesville + |
| Poverty Rate | 28.0% | 19.9% | New Bedford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 51.7% | 16.8% | Gainesville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gainesville
$299,633
Gainesville +
New Bedford
$439,767
Homeownership Rate
Gainesville
38.5%
New Bedford
40.0%
New Bedford +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $299,633 | $439,767 | Gainesville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.5% | 40.0% | New Bedford + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
324
Gainesville +
New Bedford
326
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
1453
New Bedford
1086
New Bedford +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 326 | Gainesville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1086 | New Bedford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
31.2%
Gainesville +
New Bedford
36.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
8.8%
Gainesville +
New Bedford
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gainesville
21.3%
Gainesville +
New Bedford
22.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
13.9%
New Bedford
11.1%
New Bedford +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
17.8%
New Bedford
16.0%
New Bedford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
11.8%
Gainesville +
New Bedford
21.4%
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.2% | 36.3% | Gainesville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 13.2% | Gainesville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.3% | 22.0% | Gainesville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 11.1% | New Bedford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 16.0% | New Bedford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 21.4% | Gainesville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
68.9°F
New Bedford
51.8°F
New Bedford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
47.3 in
Gainesville +
New Bedford
51.9 in
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 68.9°F | 51.8°F | New Bedford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.3 in | 51.9 in | Gainesville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gainesville
7.2 µg/m³
New Bedford
7.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gainesville
75.0%
New Bedford
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gainesville
20.1 min
Gainesville +
New Bedford
27.2 min
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 27.2 min | Gainesville + |
Which City is Right for You?
New Bedford leads in median household income at $56,025, while gainesville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $299,633. On public safety, Gainesville is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in New Bedford. Gainesville 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, Gainesville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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