Madison WI 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)
Madison, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 275,568
- Median HH Income$76,983
- Median Home Price$429,253
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
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
Madison
275,568
Madison +
New Bedford
100,731
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Madison
N/A
New Bedford
N/A
Median Age
Madison
31.8
Madison +
New Bedford
37.0
Foreign Born
Madison
11.6%
New Bedford
20.7%
New Bedford +
White
Madison
73.0%
Madison +
New Bedford
57.5%
Black
Madison
7.1%
Madison +
New Bedford
6.0%
Asian
Madison
8.0%
Madison +
New Bedford
1.5%
Hispanic
Madison
9.3%
New Bedford
24.5%
New Bedford +
Spanish at Home
Madison
N/A
New Bedford
N/A
| Metric | Madison, WI | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 275,568 | 100,731 | Madison + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 37.0 | Madison + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 20.7% | New Bedford + |
| White | 73.0% | 57.5% | Madison + |
| Black | 7.1% | 6.0% | Madison + |
| Asian | 8.0% | 1.5% | Madison + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 24.5% | New Bedford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Madison
$76,983
Madison +
New Bedford
$56,025
Per Capita Income
Madison
$48,557
Madison +
New Bedford
$30,475
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Madison
$61,837
New Bedford
$85,405
New Bedford +
Unemployment Rate
Madison
2.7%
Madison +
New Bedford
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Madison
16.2%
Madison +
New Bedford
19.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Madison
59.2%
Madison +
New Bedford
16.8%
| Metric | Madison, WI | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,983 | $56,025 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,557 | $30,475 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,837 | $85,405 | New Bedford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 7.6% | Madison + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.2% | 19.9% | Madison + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.2% | 16.8% | Madison + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Madison
$429,253
Madison +
New Bedford
$439,767
Homeownership Rate
Madison
46.6%
Madison +
New Bedford
40.0%
| Metric | Madison, WI | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $429,253 | $439,767 | Madison + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% | 40.0% | Madison + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Madison
309
Madison +
New Bedford
326
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Madison
1392
New Bedford
1086
New Bedford +
| Metric | Madison, WI | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 309 | 326 | Madison + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1392 | 1086 | New Bedford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Madison
32.7%
Madison +
New Bedford
36.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Madison
7.4%
Madison +
New Bedford
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Madison
16.5%
Madison +
New Bedford
22.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Madison
7.9%
Madison +
New Bedford
11.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Madison
20.8%
New Bedford
16.0%
New Bedford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Madison
10.2%
Madison +
New Bedford
21.4%
| Metric | Madison, WI | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.7% | 36.3% | Madison + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 13.2% | Madison + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.5% | 22.0% | Madison + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.9% | 11.1% | Madison + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.8% | 16.0% | New Bedford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 21.4% | Madison + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Madison
46.7°F
Madison +
New Bedford
51.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Madison
37.3 in
Madison +
New Bedford
51.9 in
| Metric | Madison, WI | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.7°F | 51.8°F | Madison + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.3 in | 51.9 in | Madison + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Madison
9.3 µg/m³
New Bedford
7.2 µg/m³
New Bedford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Madison
55.0%
New Bedford
75.0%
New Bedford +
| Metric | Madison, WI | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | New Bedford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | New Bedford + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Madison
21.2 min
Madison +
New Bedford
27.2 min
| Metric | Madison, WI | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.2 min | 27.2 min | Madison + |
Which City is Right for You?
Madison leads in median household income at $76,983, while madison offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $429,253. On public safety, Madison is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in New Bedford. Madison has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and New Bedford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Madison scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.7%.
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