Hartford CT 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)
Hartford, CT
Connecticut · Population: 119,970
- Median HH Income$45,300
- Median Home Price$199,359
- Unemployment10.6%
- Bachelor's+18.3%
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
Hartford
119,970
Hartford +
New Bedford
100,731
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hartford
N/A
New Bedford
N/A
Median Age
Hartford
33.4
Hartford +
New Bedford
37.0
Foreign Born
Hartford
23.0%
Hartford +
New Bedford
20.7%
White
Hartford
26.4%
New Bedford
57.5%
New Bedford +
Black
Hartford
36.1%
Hartford +
New Bedford
6.0%
Asian
Hartford
2.3%
Hartford +
New Bedford
1.5%
Hispanic
Hartford
44.8%
Hartford +
New Bedford
24.5%
Spanish at Home
Hartford
N/A
New Bedford
N/A
| Metric | Hartford, CT | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,970 | 100,731 | Hartford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 37.0 | Hartford + |
| Foreign Born | 23.0% | 20.7% | Hartford + |
| White | 26.4% | 57.5% | New Bedford + |
| Black | 36.1% | 6.0% | Hartford + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 1.5% | Hartford + |
| Hispanic | 44.8% | 24.5% | Hartford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hartford
$45,300
New Bedford
$56,025
New Bedford +
Per Capita Income
Hartford
$27,319
New Bedford
$30,475
New Bedford +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hartford
$85,393
New Bedford
$85,405
New Bedford +
Unemployment Rate
Hartford
10.6%
New Bedford
7.6%
New Bedford +
Poverty Rate
Hartford
25.5%
New Bedford
19.9%
New Bedford +
Bachelor's Degree+
Hartford
18.3%
Hartford +
New Bedford
16.8%
| Metric | Hartford, CT | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,300 | $56,025 | New Bedford + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,319 | $30,475 | New Bedford + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $85,405 | New Bedford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.6% | 7.6% | New Bedford + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.5% | 19.9% | New Bedford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 18.3% | 16.8% | Hartford + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hartford
$199,359
Hartford +
New Bedford
$439,767
Homeownership Rate
Hartford
25.8%
New Bedford
40.0%
New Bedford +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $199,359 | $439,767 | Hartford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.8% | 40.0% | New Bedford + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hartford
156
Hartford +
New Bedford
326
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hartford
1524
New Bedford
1086
New Bedford +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 156 | 326 | Hartford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1524 | 1086 | New Bedford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hartford
40.4%
New Bedford
36.3%
New Bedford +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hartford
15.8%
New Bedford
13.2%
New Bedford +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hartford
20.8%
Hartford +
New Bedford
22.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hartford
20.3%
New Bedford
11.1%
New Bedford +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hartford
13.7%
Hartford +
New Bedford
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hartford
16.3%
Hartford +
New Bedford
21.4%
| Metric | Hartford, CT | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 36.3% | New Bedford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 13.2% | New Bedford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 22.0% | Hartford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.3% | 11.1% | New Bedford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 16.0% | Hartford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 21.4% | Hartford + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hartford
50.6°F
Hartford +
New Bedford
51.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hartford
45.9 in
Hartford +
New Bedford
51.9 in
| Metric | Hartford, CT | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.6°F | 51.8°F | Hartford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.9 in | 51.9 in | Hartford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hartford
7.7 µg/m³
New Bedford
7.2 µg/m³
New Bedford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hartford
75.0%
New Bedford
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Hartford, CT | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | New Bedford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hartford
24.4 min
Hartford +
New Bedford
27.2 min
| Metric | Hartford, CT | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.4 min | 27.2 min | Hartford + |
Which City is Right for You?
New Bedford leads in median household income at $56,025, while hartford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $199,359. On public safety, Hartford is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in New Bedford. 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%.
Compare More Cities
Hartford, CT vs New York, NYHartford, CT vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Hartford, CTHartford, CT vs Houston, TXHartford, CT vs Phoenix, AZHartford, CT vs Philadelphia, PA