New Bedford MA vs Newport News VA — 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%
Newport News, VA
Virginia · Population: 184,774
- Median HH Income$66,718
- Median Home Price$294,407
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+29.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
New Bedford
100,731
Newport News
184,774
Newport News +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Bedford
N/A
Newport News
N/A
Median Age
New Bedford
37.0
Newport News
34.2
Newport News +
Foreign Born
New Bedford
20.7%
New Bedford +
Newport News
8.1%
White
New Bedford
57.5%
New Bedford +
Newport News
42.3%
Black
New Bedford
6.0%
Newport News
41.0%
Newport News +
Asian
New Bedford
1.5%
Newport News
3.3%
Newport News +
Hispanic
New Bedford
24.5%
New Bedford +
Newport News
10.5%
Spanish at Home
New Bedford
N/A
Newport News
N/A
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,731 | 184,774 | Newport News + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.0 | 34.2 | Newport News + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 8.1% | New Bedford + |
| White | 57.5% | 42.3% | New Bedford + |
| Black | 6.0% | 41.0% | Newport News + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 3.3% | Newport News + |
| Hispanic | 24.5% | 10.5% | New Bedford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Bedford
$56,025
Newport News
$66,718
Newport News +
Per Capita Income
New Bedford
$30,475
Newport News
$37,475
Newport News +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Bedford
$85,405
New Bedford +
Newport News
$69,581
Unemployment Rate
New Bedford
7.6%
Newport News
5.9%
Newport News +
Poverty Rate
New Bedford
19.9%
Newport News
15.1%
Newport News +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Bedford
16.8%
Newport News
29.1%
Newport News +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,025 | $66,718 | Newport News + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,475 | $37,475 | Newport News + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $69,581 | New Bedford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 5.9% | Newport News + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.9% | 15.1% | Newport News + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 16.8% | 29.1% | Newport News + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Bedford
$439,767
Newport News
$294,407
Newport News +
Homeownership Rate
New Bedford
40.0%
Newport News
48.1%
Newport News +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $439,767 | $294,407 | Newport News + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.0% | 48.1% | Newport News + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Bedford
326
Newport News
240
Newport News +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Bedford
1086
New Bedford +
Newport News
1726
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 240 | Newport News + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1726 | New Bedford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
36.3%
New Bedford +
Newport News
40.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
13.2%
New Bedford +
Newport News
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Bedford
22.0%
Newport News
18.4%
Newport News +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
11.1%
Newport News
10.5%
Newport News +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
16.0%
Newport News
13.6%
Newport News +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
21.4%
Newport News
14.4%
Newport News +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 40.7% | New Bedford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 13.5% | New Bedford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.0% | 18.4% | Newport News + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 10.5% | Newport News + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 13.6% | Newport News + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.4% | 14.4% | Newport News + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Bedford
51.8°F
New Bedford +
Newport News
60.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Bedford
51.9 in
Newport News
45.4 in
Newport News +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.8°F | 60.6°F | New Bedford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.9 in | 45.4 in | Newport News + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Bedford
7.2 µg/m³
New Bedford +
Newport News
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Bedford
75.0%
Newport News
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | New Bedford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Bedford
27.2 min
Newport News
25.2 min
Newport News +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.2 min | 25.2 min | Newport News + |
Which City is Right for You?
Newport News leads in median household income at $66,718, while newport News offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $294,407. On public safety, Newport News is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in New Bedford. Newport News has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, 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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