Jacksonville FL 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)
Jacksonville, FL
Florida · Population: 961,739
- Median HH Income$66,981
- Median Home Price$286,396
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.9%
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
Jacksonville
961,739
Jacksonville +
New Bedford
100,731
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jacksonville
N/A
New Bedford
N/A
Median Age
Jacksonville
36.4
Jacksonville +
New Bedford
37.0
Foreign Born
Jacksonville
12.2%
New Bedford
20.7%
New Bedford +
White
Jacksonville
51.2%
New Bedford
57.5%
New Bedford +
Black
Jacksonville
30.1%
Jacksonville +
New Bedford
6.0%
Asian
Jacksonville
4.9%
Jacksonville +
New Bedford
1.5%
Hispanic
Jacksonville
12.0%
New Bedford
24.5%
New Bedford +
Spanish at Home
Jacksonville
N/A
New Bedford
N/A
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 961,739 | 100,731 | Jacksonville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 37.0 | Jacksonville + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 20.7% | New Bedford + |
| White | 51.2% | 57.5% | New Bedford + |
| Black | 30.1% | 6.0% | Jacksonville + |
| Asian | 4.9% | 1.5% | Jacksonville + |
| Hispanic | 12.0% | 24.5% | New Bedford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jacksonville
$66,981
Jacksonville +
New Bedford
$56,025
Per Capita Income
Jacksonville
$37,269
Jacksonville +
New Bedford
$30,475
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jacksonville
$65,328
New Bedford
$85,405
New Bedford +
Unemployment Rate
Jacksonville
4.6%
Jacksonville +
New Bedford
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Jacksonville
15.0%
Jacksonville +
New Bedford
19.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Jacksonville
31.9%
Jacksonville +
New Bedford
16.8%
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,981 | $56,025 | Jacksonville + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,269 | $30,475 | Jacksonville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $85,405 | New Bedford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 7.6% | Jacksonville + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.0% | 19.9% | Jacksonville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.9% | 16.8% | Jacksonville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jacksonville
$286,396
Jacksonville +
New Bedford
$439,767
Homeownership Rate
Jacksonville
57.4%
Jacksonville +
New Bedford
40.0%
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $286,396 | $439,767 | Jacksonville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.4% | 40.0% | Jacksonville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jacksonville
324
Jacksonville +
New Bedford
326
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jacksonville
1453
New Bedford
1086
New Bedford +
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 326 | Jacksonville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1086 | New Bedford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
34.8%
Jacksonville +
New Bedford
36.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
13.2%
New Bedford
13.2%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jacksonville
18.8%
Jacksonville +
New Bedford
22.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
13.9%
New Bedford
11.1%
New Bedford +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
15.2%
Jacksonville +
New Bedford
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
14.8%
Jacksonville +
New Bedford
21.4%
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.8% | 36.3% | Jacksonville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 13.2% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 22.0% | Jacksonville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 11.1% | New Bedford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 16.0% | Jacksonville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 21.4% | Jacksonville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jacksonville
70.2°F
New Bedford
51.8°F
New Bedford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jacksonville
50.0 in
Jacksonville +
New Bedford
51.9 in
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 70.2°F | 51.8°F | New Bedford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.0 in | 51.9 in | Jacksonville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jacksonville
7.2 µg/m³
New Bedford
7.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jacksonville
75.0%
New Bedford
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jacksonville
26.0 min
Jacksonville +
New Bedford
27.2 min
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.0 min | 27.2 min | Jacksonville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Jacksonville leads in median household income at $66,981, while jacksonville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $286,396. On public safety, Jacksonville is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in New Bedford. Jacksonville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and New Bedford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Jacksonville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.8%.
Compare More Cities
Jacksonville, FL vs New York, NYJacksonville, FL vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Jacksonville, FLHouston, TX vs Jacksonville, FLJacksonville, FL vs Phoenix, AZJacksonville, FL vs Philadelphia, PA