New Bedford MA vs New Haven CT — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
New Bedford, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 100,731
- Median HH Income$56,025
- Median Home Price$439,767
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+16.8%
New Haven, CT
Connecticut · Population: 132,893
- Median HH Income$53,771
- Median Home Price$330,564
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+37.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
New Bedford
100,731
New Haven
132,893
New Haven +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Bedford
N/A
New Haven
N/A
Median Age
New Bedford
37.0
New Haven
31.9
New Haven +
Foreign Born
New Bedford
20.7%
New Bedford +
New Haven
17.7%
White
New Bedford
57.5%
New Bedford +
New Haven
36.8%
Black
New Bedford
6.0%
New Haven
30.6%
New Haven +
Asian
New Bedford
1.5%
New Haven
5.2%
New Haven +
Hispanic
New Bedford
24.5%
New Haven
31.2%
New Haven +
Spanish at Home
New Bedford
N/A
New Haven
N/A
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,731 | 132,893 | New Haven + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.0 | 31.9 | New Haven + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 17.7% | New Bedford + |
| White | 57.5% | 36.8% | New Bedford + |
| Black | 6.0% | 30.6% | New Haven + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 5.2% | New Haven + |
| Hispanic | 24.5% | 31.2% | New Haven + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Bedford
$56,025
New Bedford +
New Haven
$53,771
Per Capita Income
New Bedford
$30,475
New Haven
$34,482
New Haven +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Bedford
$85,405
New Bedford +
New Haven
$85,393
Unemployment Rate
New Bedford
7.6%
New Bedford +
New Haven
7.7%
Poverty Rate
New Bedford
19.9%
New Bedford +
New Haven
25.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
New Bedford
16.8%
New Haven
37.7%
New Haven +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,025 | $53,771 | New Bedford + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,475 | $34,482 | New Haven + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $85,393 | New Bedford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 7.7% | New Bedford + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.9% | 25.0% | New Bedford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 16.8% | 37.7% | New Haven + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Bedford
$439,767
New Haven
$330,564
New Haven +
Homeownership Rate
New Bedford
40.0%
New Bedford +
New Haven
28.4%
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $439,767 | $330,564 | New Haven + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.0% | 28.4% | New Bedford + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Bedford
326
New Haven
156
New Haven +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Bedford
1086
New Bedford +
New Haven
1524
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 156 | New Haven + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1524 | New Bedford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
36.3%
New Bedford +
New Haven
37.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
13.2%
New Haven
11.7%
New Haven +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Bedford
22.0%
New Haven
18.9%
New Haven +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
11.1%
New Bedford +
New Haven
14.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
16.0%
New Haven
14.2%
New Haven +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
21.4%
New Haven
13.2%
New Haven +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 37.9% | New Bedford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 11.7% | New Haven + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.0% | 18.9% | New Haven + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 14.7% | New Bedford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 14.2% | New Haven + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.4% | 13.2% | New Haven + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Bedford
51.8°F
New Bedford +
New Haven
52.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Bedford
51.9 in
New Haven
47.1 in
New Haven +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.8°F | 52.2°F | New Bedford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.9 in | 47.1 in | New Haven + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Bedford
7.2 µg/m³
New Bedford +
New Haven
7.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Bedford
75.0%
New Haven
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | New Bedford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Bedford
27.2 min
New Haven
23.0 min
New Haven +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.2 min | 23.0 min | New Haven + |
Which City is Right for You?
New Bedford leads in median household income at $56,025, while new Haven offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $330,564. On public safety, New Haven is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in New Bedford. 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%.
Compare More Cities
New Bedford, MA vs New York, NYLos Angeles, CA vs New Bedford, MAChicago, IL vs New Bedford, MAHouston, TX vs New Bedford, MANew Bedford, MA vs Phoenix, AZNew Bedford, MA vs Philadelphia, PA