Indianapolis IN 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)
Indianapolis, IN
Indiana · Population: 882,043
- Median HH Income$62,995
- Median Home Price$232,133
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+34.2%
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
Indianapolis
882,043
Indianapolis +
New Bedford
100,731
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Indianapolis
N/A
New Bedford
N/A
Median Age
Indianapolis
34.1
Indianapolis +
New Bedford
37.0
Foreign Born
Indianapolis
11.6%
New Bedford
20.7%
New Bedford +
White
Indianapolis
53.6%
New Bedford
57.5%
New Bedford +
Black
Indianapolis
28.1%
Indianapolis +
New Bedford
6.0%
Asian
Indianapolis
4.1%
Indianapolis +
New Bedford
1.5%
Hispanic
Indianapolis
13.3%
New Bedford
24.5%
New Bedford +
Spanish at Home
Indianapolis
N/A
New Bedford
N/A
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 882,043 | 100,731 | Indianapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 37.0 | Indianapolis + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 20.7% | New Bedford + |
| White | 53.6% | 57.5% | New Bedford + |
| Black | 28.1% | 6.0% | Indianapolis + |
| Asian | 4.1% | 1.5% | Indianapolis + |
| Hispanic | 13.3% | 24.5% | New Bedford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Indianapolis
$62,995
Indianapolis +
New Bedford
$56,025
Per Capita Income
Indianapolis
$36,194
Indianapolis +
New Bedford
$30,475
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Indianapolis
$58,697
New Bedford
$85,405
New Bedford +
Unemployment Rate
Indianapolis
5.2%
Indianapolis +
New Bedford
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Indianapolis
15.7%
Indianapolis +
New Bedford
19.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Indianapolis
34.2%
Indianapolis +
New Bedford
16.8%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,995 | $56,025 | Indianapolis + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,194 | $30,475 | Indianapolis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $85,405 | New Bedford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 7.6% | Indianapolis + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% | 19.9% | Indianapolis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.2% | 16.8% | Indianapolis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Indianapolis
$232,133
Indianapolis +
New Bedford
$439,767
Homeownership Rate
Indianapolis
55.3%
Indianapolis +
New Bedford
40.0%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $232,133 | $439,767 | Indianapolis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.3% | 40.0% | Indianapolis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
370
New Bedford
326
New Bedford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
1719
New Bedford
1086
New Bedford +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 326 | New Bedford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1086 | New Bedford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
New Bedford
36.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
New Bedford
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Indianapolis
N/A
New Bedford
22.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
New Bedford
11.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
New Bedford
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
New Bedford
21.4%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 36.3% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.2% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 22.0% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.1% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.0% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 21.4% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Indianapolis
N/A
New Bedford
51.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Indianapolis
41.8 in
Indianapolis +
New Bedford
51.9 in
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 51.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.8 in | 51.9 in | Indianapolis + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
10.1 µg/m³
New Bedford
7.2 µg/m³
New Bedford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Indianapolis
55.0%
New Bedford
75.0%
New Bedford +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | New Bedford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | New Bedford + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Indianapolis
25.8 min
Indianapolis +
New Bedford
27.2 min
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 27.2 min | Indianapolis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Indianapolis leads in median household income at $62,995, while indianapolis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $232,133. On public safety, New Bedford is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in Indianapolis. Indianapolis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and New Bedford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³).
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