Kent WA 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)
Kent, WA
Washington · Population: 84,389
- Median HH Income$72,867
- Median Home Price$657,911
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+27.0%
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
Kent
84,389
New Bedford
100,731
New Bedford +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kent
N/A
New Bedford
N/A
Median Age
Kent
35.8
Kent +
New Bedford
37.0
Foreign Born
Kent
14.1%
New Bedford
20.7%
New Bedford +
White
Kent
67.2%
Kent +
New Bedford
57.5%
Black
Kent
2.3%
New Bedford
6.0%
New Bedford +
Asian
Kent
1.9%
Kent +
New Bedford
1.5%
Hispanic
Kent
31.8%
Kent +
New Bedford
24.5%
Spanish at Home
Kent
N/A
New Bedford
N/A
| Metric | Kent, WA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 84,389 | 100,731 | New Bedford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 37.0 | Kent + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 20.7% | New Bedford + |
| White | 67.2% | 57.5% | Kent + |
| Black | 2.3% | 6.0% | New Bedford + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 1.5% | Kent + |
| Hispanic | 31.8% | 24.5% | Kent + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kent
$72,867
Kent +
New Bedford
$56,025
Per Capita Income
Kent
$35,662
Kent +
New Bedford
$30,475
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kent
$76,120
New Bedford
$85,405
New Bedford +
Unemployment Rate
Kent
4.9%
Kent +
New Bedford
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Kent
13.9%
Kent +
New Bedford
19.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kent
27.0%
Kent +
New Bedford
16.8%
| Metric | Kent, WA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $72,867 | $56,025 | Kent + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,662 | $30,475 | Kent + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $85,405 | New Bedford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 7.6% | Kent + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.9% | 19.9% | Kent + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.0% | 16.8% | Kent + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kent
$657,911
New Bedford
$439,767
New Bedford +
Homeownership Rate
Kent
62.8%
Kent +
New Bedford
40.0%
| Metric | Kent, WA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $657,911 | $439,767 | New Bedford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.8% | 40.0% | Kent + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kent
383
New Bedford
326
New Bedford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kent
3409
New Bedford
1086
New Bedford +
| Metric | Kent, WA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 326 | New Bedford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1086 | New Bedford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kent
25.7%
Kent +
New Bedford
36.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kent
9.3%
Kent +
New Bedford
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kent
17.2%
Kent +
New Bedford
22.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kent
10.6%
Kent +
New Bedford
11.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kent
15.7%
Kent +
New Bedford
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kent
10.3%
Kent +
New Bedford
21.4%
| Metric | Kent, WA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.7% | 36.3% | Kent + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 13.2% | Kent + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 22.0% | Kent + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 11.1% | Kent + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 16.0% | Kent + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 21.4% | Kent + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kent
53.2°F
New Bedford
51.8°F
New Bedford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kent
39.1 in
Kent +
New Bedford
51.9 in
| Metric | Kent, WA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.2°F | 51.8°F | New Bedford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.1 in | 51.9 in | Kent + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kent
7.5 µg/m³
New Bedford
7.2 µg/m³
New Bedford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kent
75.0%
New Bedford
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kent, WA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | New Bedford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kent
23.0 min
Kent +
New Bedford
27.2 min
| Metric | Kent, WA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.0 min | 27.2 min | Kent + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kent leads in median household income at $72,867, while new Bedford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $439,767. On public safety, New Bedford is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Kent. Kent has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and New Bedford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Kent scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.7%.
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