Huntsville AL 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)
Huntsville, AL
Alabama · Population: 218,814
- Median HH Income$70,778
- Median Home Price$288,707
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+46.2%
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
Huntsville
218,814
Huntsville +
New Bedford
100,731
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Huntsville
N/A
New Bedford
N/A
Median Age
Huntsville
36.4
Huntsville +
New Bedford
37.0
Foreign Born
Huntsville
6.6%
New Bedford
20.7%
New Bedford +
White
Huntsville
58.4%
Huntsville +
New Bedford
57.5%
Black
Huntsville
29.7%
Huntsville +
New Bedford
6.0%
Asian
Huntsville
2.0%
Huntsville +
New Bedford
1.5%
Hispanic
Huntsville
8.1%
New Bedford
24.5%
New Bedford +
Spanish at Home
Huntsville
N/A
New Bedford
N/A
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,814 | 100,731 | Huntsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 37.0 | Huntsville + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 20.7% | New Bedford + |
| White | 58.4% | 57.5% | Huntsville + |
| Black | 29.7% | 6.0% | Huntsville + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 1.5% | Huntsville + |
| Hispanic | 8.1% | 24.5% | New Bedford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Huntsville
$70,778
Huntsville +
New Bedford
$56,025
Per Capita Income
Huntsville
$44,733
Huntsville +
New Bedford
$30,475
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Huntsville
$51,690
New Bedford
$85,405
New Bedford +
Unemployment Rate
Huntsville
4.3%
Huntsville +
New Bedford
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Huntsville
13.8%
Huntsville +
New Bedford
19.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Huntsville
46.2%
Huntsville +
New Bedford
16.8%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,778 | $56,025 | Huntsville + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,733 | $30,475 | Huntsville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $85,405 | New Bedford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 7.6% | Huntsville + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.8% | 19.9% | Huntsville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.2% | 16.8% | Huntsville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Huntsville
$288,707
Huntsville +
New Bedford
$439,767
Homeownership Rate
Huntsville
58.1%
Huntsville +
New Bedford
40.0%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $288,707 | $439,767 | Huntsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 40.0% | Huntsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
400
New Bedford
326
New Bedford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
1734
New Bedford
1086
New Bedford +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 326 | New Bedford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1086 | New Bedford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
40.7%
New Bedford
36.3%
New Bedford +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.7%
Huntsville +
New Bedford
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Huntsville
16.4%
Huntsville +
New Bedford
22.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
9.6%
Huntsville +
New Bedford
11.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
14.2%
Huntsville +
New Bedford
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.6%
Huntsville +
New Bedford
21.4%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 36.3% | New Bedford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 13.2% | Huntsville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 22.0% | Huntsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 11.1% | Huntsville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 16.0% | Huntsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 21.4% | Huntsville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
62.1°F
New Bedford
51.8°F
New Bedford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
54.3 in
New Bedford
51.9 in
New Bedford +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.1°F | 51.8°F | New Bedford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.3 in | 51.9 in | New Bedford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Huntsville
8.8 µg/m³
New Bedford
7.2 µg/m³
New Bedford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Huntsville
75.0%
New Bedford
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | New Bedford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Huntsville
21.0 min
Huntsville +
New Bedford
27.2 min
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.0 min | 27.2 min | Huntsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Huntsville leads in median household income at $70,778, while huntsville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $288,707. On public safety, New Bedford is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Huntsville. Huntsville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, 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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