Long Beach CA 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)
Long Beach, CA
California · Population: 458,491
- Median HH Income$83,969
- Median Home Price$862,599
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+34.8%
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
Long Beach
458,491
Long Beach +
New Bedford
100,731
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Long Beach
N/A
New Bedford
N/A
Median Age
Long Beach
36.8
Long Beach +
New Bedford
37.0
Foreign Born
Long Beach
24.7%
Long Beach +
New Bedford
20.7%
White
Long Beach
41.6%
New Bedford
57.5%
New Bedford +
Black
Long Beach
11.9%
Long Beach +
New Bedford
6.0%
Asian
Long Beach
12.8%
Long Beach +
New Bedford
1.5%
Hispanic
Long Beach
43.4%
Long Beach +
New Bedford
24.5%
Spanish at Home
Long Beach
N/A
New Bedford
N/A
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 458,491 | 100,731 | Long Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.8 | 37.0 | Long Beach + |
| Foreign Born | 24.7% | 20.7% | Long Beach + |
| White | 41.6% | 57.5% | New Bedford + |
| Black | 11.9% | 6.0% | Long Beach + |
| Asian | 12.8% | 1.5% | Long Beach + |
| Hispanic | 43.4% | 24.5% | Long Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Long Beach
$83,969
Long Beach +
New Bedford
$56,025
Per Capita Income
Long Beach
$42,370
Long Beach +
New Bedford
$30,475
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Long Beach
$77,230
New Bedford
$85,405
New Bedford +
Unemployment Rate
Long Beach
6.5%
Long Beach +
New Bedford
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Long Beach
15.0%
Long Beach +
New Bedford
19.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Long Beach
34.8%
Long Beach +
New Bedford
16.8%
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,969 | $56,025 | Long Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,370 | $30,475 | Long Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $85,405 | New Bedford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 7.6% | Long Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.0% | 19.9% | Long Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.8% | 16.8% | Long Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Long Beach
$862,599
New Bedford
$439,767
New Bedford +
Homeownership Rate
Long Beach
40.9%
Long Beach +
New Bedford
40.0%
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $862,599 | $439,767 | New Bedford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.9% | 40.0% | Long Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Long Beach
503
New Bedford
326
New Bedford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Long Beach
2388
New Bedford
1086
New Bedford +
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 326 | New Bedford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1086 | New Bedford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
27.4%
Long Beach +
New Bedford
36.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
11.7%
Long Beach +
New Bedford
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Long Beach
17.5%
Long Beach +
New Bedford
22.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
11.9%
New Bedford
11.1%
New Bedford +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
15.7%
Long Beach +
New Bedford
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
11.9%
Long Beach +
New Bedford
21.4%
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.4% | 36.3% | Long Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 13.2% | Long Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 22.0% | Long Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 11.1% | New Bedford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 16.0% | Long Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 21.4% | Long Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Long Beach
64.7°F
New Bedford
51.8°F
New Bedford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Long Beach
12.3 in
Long Beach +
New Bedford
51.9 in
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.7°F | 51.8°F | New Bedford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.3 in | 51.9 in | Long Beach + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Long Beach
7.9 µg/m³
New Bedford
7.2 µg/m³
New Bedford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Long Beach
75.0%
New Bedford
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | New Bedford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Long Beach
32.6 min
New Bedford
27.2 min
New Bedford +
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.6 min | 27.2 min | New Bedford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Long Beach leads in median household income at $83,969, 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 503 in Long Beach. Long Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, and New Bedford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Long Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.4%.
Compare More Cities
Long Beach, CA vs New York, NYLong Beach, CA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Long Beach, CAHouston, TX vs Long Beach, CALong Beach, CA vs Phoenix, AZLong Beach, CA vs Philadelphia, PA