Modesto 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)
Modesto, CA
California · Population: 218,614
- Median HH Income$77,899
- Median Home Price$447,353
- Unemployment7.3%
- Bachelor's+20.3%
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
Modesto
218,614
Modesto +
New Bedford
100,731
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Modesto
N/A
New Bedford
N/A
Median Age
Modesto
35.4
Modesto +
New Bedford
37.0
Foreign Born
Modesto
18.7%
New Bedford
20.7%
New Bedford +
White
Modesto
50.8%
New Bedford
57.5%
New Bedford +
Black
Modesto
4.7%
New Bedford
6.0%
New Bedford +
Asian
Modesto
7.4%
Modesto +
New Bedford
1.5%
Hispanic
Modesto
43.9%
Modesto +
New Bedford
24.5%
Spanish at Home
Modesto
N/A
New Bedford
N/A
| Metric | Modesto, CA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,614 | 100,731 | Modesto + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 37.0 | Modesto + |
| Foreign Born | 18.7% | 20.7% | New Bedford + |
| White | 50.8% | 57.5% | New Bedford + |
| Black | 4.7% | 6.0% | New Bedford + |
| Asian | 7.4% | 1.5% | Modesto + |
| Hispanic | 43.9% | 24.5% | Modesto + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Modesto
$77,899
Modesto +
New Bedford
$56,025
Per Capita Income
Modesto
$34,656
Modesto +
New Bedford
$30,475
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Modesto
$77,230
New Bedford
$85,405
New Bedford +
Unemployment Rate
Modesto
7.3%
Modesto +
New Bedford
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Modesto
13.0%
Modesto +
New Bedford
19.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Modesto
20.3%
Modesto +
New Bedford
16.8%
| Metric | Modesto, CA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,899 | $56,025 | Modesto + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,656 | $30,475 | Modesto + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $85,405 | New Bedford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.3% | 7.6% | Modesto + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.0% | 19.9% | Modesto + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.3% | 16.8% | Modesto + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Modesto
$447,353
New Bedford
$439,767
New Bedford +
Homeownership Rate
Modesto
58.4%
Modesto +
New Bedford
40.0%
| Metric | Modesto, CA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $447,353 | $439,767 | New Bedford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.4% | 40.0% | Modesto + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Modesto
503
New Bedford
326
New Bedford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Modesto
2388
New Bedford
1086
New Bedford +
| Metric | Modesto, 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
Modesto
36.2%
Modesto +
New Bedford
36.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Modesto
12.1%
Modesto +
New Bedford
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Modesto
19.0%
Modesto +
New Bedford
22.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Modesto
13.0%
New Bedford
11.1%
New Bedford +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Modesto
16.5%
New Bedford
16.0%
New Bedford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Modesto
13.7%
Modesto +
New Bedford
21.4%
| Metric | Modesto, CA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 36.3% | Modesto + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 13.2% | Modesto + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 22.0% | Modesto + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 11.1% | New Bedford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 16.0% | New Bedford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 21.4% | Modesto + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Modesto
63.7°F
New Bedford
51.8°F
New Bedford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Modesto
13.1 in
Modesto +
New Bedford
51.9 in
| Metric | Modesto, CA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.7°F | 51.8°F | New Bedford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.1 in | 51.9 in | Modesto + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Modesto
7.9 µg/m³
New Bedford
7.2 µg/m³
New Bedford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Modesto
75.0%
New Bedford
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Modesto, 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
Modesto
30.5 min
New Bedford
27.2 min
New Bedford +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.5 min | 27.2 min | New Bedford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Modesto leads in median household income at $77,899, 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 Modesto. Modesto has a lower unemployment rate at 7.3%, and New Bedford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Modesto scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.2%.
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