Memphis TN 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)
Memphis, TN
Tennessee · Population: 629,063
- Median HH Income$51,211
- Median Home Price$147,306
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+28.2%
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
Memphis
629,063
Memphis +
New Bedford
100,731
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Memphis
N/A
New Bedford
N/A
Median Age
Memphis
34.3
Memphis +
New Bedford
37.0
Foreign Born
Memphis
7.4%
New Bedford
20.7%
New Bedford +
White
Memphis
25.0%
New Bedford
57.5%
New Bedford +
Black
Memphis
62.9%
Memphis +
New Bedford
6.0%
Asian
Memphis
1.7%
Memphis +
New Bedford
1.5%
Hispanic
Memphis
10.2%
New Bedford
24.5%
New Bedford +
Spanish at Home
Memphis
N/A
New Bedford
N/A
| Metric | Memphis, TN | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 629,063 | 100,731 | Memphis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 37.0 | Memphis + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 20.7% | New Bedford + |
| White | 25.0% | 57.5% | New Bedford + |
| Black | 62.9% | 6.0% | Memphis + |
| Asian | 1.7% | 1.5% | Memphis + |
| Hispanic | 10.2% | 24.5% | New Bedford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Memphis
$51,211
New Bedford
$56,025
New Bedford +
Per Capita Income
Memphis
$32,314
Memphis +
New Bedford
$30,475
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Memphis
$59,097
New Bedford
$85,405
New Bedford +
Unemployment Rate
Memphis
8.3%
New Bedford
7.6%
New Bedford +
Poverty Rate
Memphis
22.5%
New Bedford
19.9%
New Bedford +
Bachelor's Degree+
Memphis
28.2%
Memphis +
New Bedford
16.8%
| Metric | Memphis, TN | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,211 | $56,025 | New Bedford + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,314 | $30,475 | Memphis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $85,405 | New Bedford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 7.6% | New Bedford + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.5% | 19.9% | New Bedford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.2% | 16.8% | Memphis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Memphis
$147,306
Memphis +
New Bedford
$439,767
Homeownership Rate
Memphis
46.0%
Memphis +
New Bedford
40.0%
| Metric | Memphis, TN | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $147,306 | $439,767 | Memphis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.0% | 40.0% | Memphis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Memphis
639
New Bedford
326
New Bedford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Memphis
2350
New Bedford
1086
New Bedford +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 326 | New Bedford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1086 | New Bedford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Memphis
42.1%
New Bedford
36.3%
New Bedford +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Memphis
17.6%
New Bedford
13.2%
New Bedford +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Memphis
20.7%
Memphis +
New Bedford
22.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Memphis
14.9%
New Bedford
11.1%
New Bedford +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Memphis
13.5%
Memphis +
New Bedford
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Memphis
19.9%
Memphis +
New Bedford
21.4%
| Metric | Memphis, TN | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.1% | 36.3% | New Bedford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 13.2% | New Bedford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.7% | 22.0% | Memphis + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 11.1% | New Bedford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 16.0% | Memphis + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.9% | 21.4% | Memphis + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Memphis
60.9°F
New Bedford
51.8°F
New Bedford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Memphis
54.9 in
New Bedford
51.9 in
New Bedford +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | 51.8°F | New Bedford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.9 in | 51.9 in | New Bedford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Memphis
8.9 µg/m³
New Bedford
7.2 µg/m³
New Bedford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Memphis
75.0%
New Bedford
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Memphis, TN | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | New Bedford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Memphis
22.9 min
Memphis +
New Bedford
27.2 min
| Metric | Memphis, TN | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.9 min | 27.2 min | Memphis + |
Which City is Right for You?
New Bedford leads in median household income at $56,025, while memphis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $147,306. On public safety, New Bedford is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Memphis. New Bedford has a lower unemployment rate at 7.6%, 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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