Lakeland 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)
Lakeland, FL
Florida · Population: 82,506
- Median HH Income$60,465
- Median Home Price$312,001
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+26.8%
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
Lakeland
82,506
New Bedford
100,731
New Bedford +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lakeland
N/A
New Bedford
N/A
Median Age
Lakeland
48.4
New Bedford
37.0
New Bedford +
Foreign Born
Lakeland
12.9%
New Bedford
20.7%
New Bedford +
White
Lakeland
74.1%
Lakeland +
New Bedford
57.5%
Black
Lakeland
8.8%
Lakeland +
New Bedford
6.0%
Asian
Lakeland
3.7%
Lakeland +
New Bedford
1.5%
Hispanic
Lakeland
14.4%
New Bedford
24.5%
New Bedford +
Spanish at Home
Lakeland
N/A
New Bedford
N/A
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 82,506 | 100,731 | New Bedford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 48.4 | 37.0 | New Bedford + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 20.7% | New Bedford + |
| White | 74.1% | 57.5% | Lakeland + |
| Black | 8.8% | 6.0% | Lakeland + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 1.5% | Lakeland + |
| Hispanic | 14.4% | 24.5% | New Bedford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lakeland
$60,465
Lakeland +
New Bedford
$56,025
Per Capita Income
Lakeland
$36,322
Lakeland +
New Bedford
$30,475
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lakeland
$65,328
New Bedford
$85,405
New Bedford +
Unemployment Rate
Lakeland
4.3%
Lakeland +
New Bedford
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Lakeland
12.0%
Lakeland +
New Bedford
19.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lakeland
26.8%
Lakeland +
New Bedford
16.8%
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,465 | $56,025 | Lakeland + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,322 | $30,475 | Lakeland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $85,405 | New Bedford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 7.6% | Lakeland + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 19.9% | Lakeland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.8% | 16.8% | Lakeland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lakeland
$312,001
Lakeland +
New Bedford
$439,767
Homeownership Rate
Lakeland
61.1%
Lakeland +
New Bedford
40.0%
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,001 | $439,767 | Lakeland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 40.0% | Lakeland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
324
Lakeland +
New Bedford
326
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
1453
New Bedford
1086
New Bedford +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 326 | Lakeland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1086 | New Bedford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
38.9%
New Bedford
36.3%
New Bedford +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
13.3%
New Bedford
13.2%
New Bedford +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lakeland
18.3%
Lakeland +
New Bedford
22.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
16.4%
New Bedford
11.1%
New Bedford +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.9%
Lakeland +
New Bedford
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.1%
Lakeland +
New Bedford
21.4%
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.9% | 36.3% | New Bedford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 13.2% | New Bedford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 22.0% | Lakeland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 11.1% | New Bedford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 16.0% | Lakeland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 21.4% | Lakeland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
72.6°F
New Bedford
51.8°F
New Bedford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
54.8 in
New Bedford
51.9 in
New Bedford +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.6°F | 51.8°F | New Bedford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.8 in | 51.9 in | New Bedford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lakeland
7.2 µg/m³
New Bedford
7.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lakeland
75.0%
New Bedford
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lakeland, 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
Lakeland
25.6 min
Lakeland +
New Bedford
27.2 min
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.6 min | 27.2 min | Lakeland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lakeland leads in median household income at $60,465, while lakeland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $312,001. On public safety, Lakeland is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in New Bedford. Lakeland 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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