New Bedford MA vs Newark NJ — 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%
Newark, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 307,188
- Median HH Income$48,416
- Median Home Price$482,675
- Unemployment10.9%
- Bachelor's+17.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
New Bedford
100,731
Newark
307,188
Newark +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Bedford
N/A
Newark
N/A
Median Age
New Bedford
37.0
Newark
34.8
Newark +
Foreign Born
New Bedford
20.7%
Newark
34.9%
Newark +
White
New Bedford
57.5%
New Bedford +
Newark
16.5%
Black
New Bedford
6.0%
Newark
46.7%
Newark +
Asian
New Bedford
1.5%
Newark
1.9%
Newark +
Hispanic
New Bedford
24.5%
Newark
37.2%
Newark +
Spanish at Home
New Bedford
N/A
Newark
N/A
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,731 | 307,188 | Newark + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.0 | 34.8 | Newark + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 34.9% | Newark + |
| White | 57.5% | 16.5% | New Bedford + |
| Black | 6.0% | 46.7% | Newark + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 1.9% | Newark + |
| Hispanic | 24.5% | 37.2% | Newark + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Bedford
$56,025
New Bedford +
Newark
$48,416
Per Capita Income
New Bedford
$30,475
New Bedford +
Newark
$25,509
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Bedford
$85,405
New Bedford +
Newark
$77,416
Unemployment Rate
New Bedford
7.6%
New Bedford +
Newark
10.9%
Poverty Rate
New Bedford
19.9%
New Bedford +
Newark
24.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
New Bedford
16.8%
Newark
17.4%
Newark +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,025 | $48,416 | New Bedford + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,475 | $25,509 | New Bedford + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $77,416 | New Bedford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 10.9% | New Bedford + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.9% | 24.7% | New Bedford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 16.8% | 17.4% | Newark + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Bedford
$439,767
New Bedford +
Newark
$482,675
Homeownership Rate
New Bedford
40.0%
New Bedford +
Newark
24.1%
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $439,767 | $482,675 | New Bedford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.0% | 24.1% | New Bedford + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Bedford
326
Newark
218
Newark +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Bedford
1086
New Bedford +
Newark
1426
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 218 | Newark + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1426 | New Bedford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
36.3%
Newark
35.9%
Newark +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
13.2%
New Bedford +
Newark
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Bedford
22.0%
Newark
20.0%
Newark +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
11.1%
New Bedford +
Newark
23.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
16.0%
Newark
14.3%
Newark +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
21.4%
Newark
18.2%
Newark +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 35.9% | Newark + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 14.6% | New Bedford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.0% | 20.0% | Newark + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 23.4% | New Bedford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 14.3% | Newark + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.4% | 18.2% | Newark + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Bedford
51.8°F
New Bedford +
Newark
54.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Bedford
51.9 in
Newark
46.3 in
Newark +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.8°F | 54.9°F | New Bedford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.9 in | 46.3 in | Newark + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Bedford
7.2 µg/m³
New Bedford +
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Bedford
75.0%
Newark
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 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 Bedford +
Newark
35.9 min
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.2 min | 35.9 min | New Bedford + |
Which City is Right for You?
New Bedford leads in median household income at $56,025, while new Bedford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $439,767. On public safety, Newark is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 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, Newark scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
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