Houston TX 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)
Houston, TX
Texas · Population: 2,300,419
- Median HH Income$62,894
- Median Home Price$265,062
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.0%
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
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
New Bedford
100,731
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Houston
N/A
New Bedford
N/A
Median Age
Houston
34.3
Houston +
New Bedford
37.0
Foreign Born
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
New Bedford
20.7%
White
Houston
35.5%
New Bedford
57.5%
New Bedford +
Black
Houston
22.9%
Houston +
New Bedford
6.0%
Asian
Houston
6.9%
Houston +
New Bedford
1.5%
Hispanic
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
New Bedford
24.5%
Spanish at Home
Houston
N/A
New Bedford
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 100,731 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 37.0 | Houston + |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | 20.7% | Houston + |
| White | 35.5% | 57.5% | New Bedford + |
| Black | 22.9% | 6.0% | Houston + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 1.5% | Houston + |
| Hispanic | 44.1% | 24.5% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Houston
$62,894
Houston +
New Bedford
$56,025
Per Capita Income
Houston
$41,142
Houston +
New Bedford
$30,475
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Houston
$63,758
New Bedford
$85,405
New Bedford +
Unemployment Rate
Houston
6.7%
Houston +
New Bedford
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Houston
19.7%
Houston +
New Bedford
19.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Houston
36.0%
Houston +
New Bedford
16.8%
| Metric | Houston, TX | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,894 | $56,025 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,142 | $30,475 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $85,405 | New Bedford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 7.6% | Houston + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 19.9% | Houston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.0% | 16.8% | Houston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Houston
$265,062
Houston +
New Bedford
$439,767
Homeownership Rate
Houston
42.0%
Houston +
New Bedford
40.0%
| Metric | Houston, TX | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,062 | $439,767 | Houston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 40.0% | Houston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
442
New Bedford
326
New Bedford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
2339
New Bedford
1086
New Bedford +
| Metric | Houston, TX | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 326 | New Bedford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1086 | New Bedford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
38.0%
New Bedford
36.3%
New Bedford +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.9%
New Bedford
13.2%
New Bedford +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Houston
17.1%
Houston +
New Bedford
22.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Houston
24.0%
New Bedford
11.1%
New Bedford +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Houston
16.7%
New Bedford
16.0%
New Bedford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.6%
Houston +
New Bedford
21.4%
| Metric | Houston, TX | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 36.3% | New Bedford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 13.2% | New Bedford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 22.0% | Houston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 11.1% | New Bedford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.0% | New Bedford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 21.4% | Houston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
N/A
New Bedford
51.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
48.7 in
Houston +
New Bedford
51.9 in
| Metric | Houston, TX | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 51.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7 in | 51.9 in | Houston + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
New Bedford
7.2 µg/m³
New Bedford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Houston
55.0%
New Bedford
75.0%
New Bedford +
| Metric | Houston, TX | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | New Bedford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | New Bedford + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Houston
29.6 min
New Bedford
27.2 min
New Bedford +
| Metric | Houston, TX | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 27.2 min | New Bedford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Houston leads in median household income at $62,894, while houston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,062. On public safety, New Bedford is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Houston. Houston 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, New Bedford scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.3%.
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