New Bedford MA vs New Orleans LA — 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 Orleans, LA
Louisiana · Population: 376,035
- Median HH Income$55,339
- Median Home Price$245,988
- Unemployment7.8%
- Bachelor's+41.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
New Bedford
100,731
New Orleans
376,035
New Orleans +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Bedford
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
Median Age
New Bedford
37.0
New Bedford +
New Orleans
38.4
Foreign Born
New Bedford
20.7%
New Bedford +
New Orleans
6.6%
White
New Bedford
57.5%
New Bedford +
New Orleans
31.6%
Black
New Bedford
6.0%
New Orleans
55.2%
New Orleans +
Asian
New Bedford
1.5%
New Orleans
2.8%
New Orleans +
Hispanic
New Bedford
24.5%
New Bedford +
New Orleans
7.9%
Spanish at Home
New Bedford
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,731 | 376,035 | New Orleans + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.0 | 38.4 | New Bedford + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 6.6% | New Bedford + |
| White | 57.5% | 31.6% | New Bedford + |
| Black | 6.0% | 55.2% | New Orleans + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 2.8% | New Orleans + |
| Hispanic | 24.5% | 7.9% | New Bedford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Bedford
$56,025
New Bedford +
New Orleans
$55,339
Per Capita Income
New Bedford
$30,475
New Orleans
$39,698
New Orleans +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Bedford
$85,405
New Bedford +
New Orleans
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
New Bedford
7.6%
New Bedford +
New Orleans
7.8%
Poverty Rate
New Bedford
19.9%
New Bedford +
New Orleans
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
New Bedford
16.8%
New Orleans
41.9%
New Orleans +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,025 | $55,339 | New Bedford + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,475 | $39,698 | New Orleans + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $55,297 | New Bedford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 7.8% | New Bedford + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.9% | 22.6% | New Bedford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 16.8% | 41.9% | New Orleans + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Bedford
$439,767
New Orleans
$245,988
New Orleans +
Homeownership Rate
New Bedford
40.0%
New Orleans
50.5%
New Orleans +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $439,767 | $245,988 | New Orleans + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.0% | 50.5% | New Orleans + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Bedford
326
New Bedford +
New Orleans
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Bedford
1086
New Bedford +
New Orleans
2824
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 643 | New Bedford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 2824 | New Bedford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
36.3%
New Orleans
34.0%
New Orleans +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
13.2%
New Bedford +
New Orleans
15.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Bedford
22.0%
New Orleans
19.4%
New Orleans +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
11.1%
New Orleans
8.7%
New Orleans +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
16.0%
New Bedford +
New Orleans
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
21.4%
New Orleans
15.5%
New Orleans +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 34.0% | New Orleans + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 15.1% | New Bedford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.0% | 19.4% | New Orleans + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 8.7% | New Orleans + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 19.7% | New Bedford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.4% | 15.5% | New Orleans + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Bedford
51.8°F
New Orleans
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Bedford
51.9 in
New Bedford +
New Orleans
66.6 in
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.8°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.9 in | 66.6 in | New Bedford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Bedford
7.2 µg/m³
New Bedford +
New Orleans
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Bedford
75.0%
New Orleans
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.9 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 Orleans
24.6 min
New Orleans +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.2 min | 24.6 min | New Orleans + |
Which City is Right for You?
New Bedford leads in median household income at $56,025, while new Orleans offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,988. On public safety, New Bedford is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in New Orleans. 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 Orleans scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.0%.
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