High Point NC 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)
High Point, NC
North Carolina · Population: 115,263
- Median HH Income$61,228
- Median Home Price$251,699
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+33.9%
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
High Point
115,263
High Point +
New Bedford
100,731
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
High Point
N/A
New Bedford
N/A
Median Age
High Point
37.8
New Bedford
37.0
New Bedford +
Foreign Born
High Point
14.2%
New Bedford
20.7%
New Bedford +
White
High Point
46.1%
New Bedford
57.5%
New Bedford +
Black
High Point
32.7%
High Point +
New Bedford
6.0%
Asian
High Point
8.2%
High Point +
New Bedford
1.5%
Hispanic
High Point
12.3%
New Bedford
24.5%
New Bedford +
Spanish at Home
High Point
N/A
New Bedford
N/A
| Metric | High Point, NC | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,263 | 100,731 | High Point + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.8 | 37.0 | New Bedford + |
| Foreign Born | 14.2% | 20.7% | New Bedford + |
| White | 46.1% | 57.5% | New Bedford + |
| Black | 32.7% | 6.0% | High Point + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 1.5% | High Point + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 24.5% | New Bedford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
High Point
$61,228
High Point +
New Bedford
$56,025
Per Capita Income
High Point
$34,492
High Point +
New Bedford
$30,475
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
High Point
$59,120
New Bedford
$85,405
New Bedford +
Unemployment Rate
High Point
5.6%
High Point +
New Bedford
7.6%
Poverty Rate
High Point
14.7%
High Point +
New Bedford
19.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
High Point
33.9%
High Point +
New Bedford
16.8%
| Metric | High Point, NC | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,228 | $56,025 | High Point + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,492 | $30,475 | High Point + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $85,405 | New Bedford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 7.6% | High Point + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.7% | 19.9% | High Point + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.9% | 16.8% | High Point + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
High Point
$251,699
High Point +
New Bedford
$439,767
Homeownership Rate
High Point
58.1%
High Point +
New Bedford
40.0%
| Metric | High Point, NC | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $251,699 | $439,767 | High Point + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 40.0% | High Point + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
High Point
398
New Bedford
326
New Bedford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
High Point
1999
New Bedford
1086
New Bedford +
| Metric | High Point, NC | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 326 | New Bedford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1086 | New Bedford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
High Point
37.7%
New Bedford
36.3%
New Bedford +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
High Point
13.0%
High Point +
New Bedford
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
High Point
17.2%
High Point +
New Bedford
22.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
High Point
11.8%
New Bedford
11.1%
New Bedford +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
High Point
13.5%
High Point +
New Bedford
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
High Point
14.2%
High Point +
New Bedford
21.4%
| Metric | High Point, NC | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.7% | 36.3% | New Bedford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 13.2% | High Point + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 22.0% | High Point + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 11.1% | New Bedford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 16.0% | High Point + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 21.4% | High Point + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
High Point
60.6°F
New Bedford
51.8°F
New Bedford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
High Point
46.1 in
High Point +
New Bedford
51.9 in
| Metric | High Point, NC | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.6°F | 51.8°F | New Bedford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.1 in | 51.9 in | High Point + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
High Point
8.7 µg/m³
New Bedford
7.2 µg/m³
New Bedford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
High Point
75.0%
New Bedford
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | High Point, NC | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | New Bedford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
High Point
22.7 min
High Point +
New Bedford
27.2 min
| Metric | High Point, NC | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.7 min | 27.2 min | High Point + |
Which City is Right for You?
High Point leads in median household income at $61,228, while high Point offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $251,699. On public safety, New Bedford is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in High Point. High Point has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, 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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