New Bedford MA vs Norfolk 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%
Norfolk, VA
Virginia · Population: 235,037
- Median HH Income$64,017
- Median Home Price$310,519
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+32.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
New Bedford
100,731
Norfolk
235,037
Norfolk +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Bedford
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
Median Age
New Bedford
37.0
Norfolk
32.4
Norfolk +
Foreign Born
New Bedford
20.7%
New Bedford +
Norfolk
7.7%
White
New Bedford
57.5%
New Bedford +
Norfolk
44.0%
Black
New Bedford
6.0%
Norfolk
39.8%
Norfolk +
Asian
New Bedford
1.5%
Norfolk
3.7%
Norfolk +
Hispanic
New Bedford
24.5%
New Bedford +
Norfolk
9.9%
Spanish at Home
New Bedford
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,731 | 235,037 | Norfolk + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.0 | 32.4 | Norfolk + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 7.7% | New Bedford + |
| White | 57.5% | 44.0% | New Bedford + |
| Black | 6.0% | 39.8% | Norfolk + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 3.7% | Norfolk + |
| Hispanic | 24.5% | 9.9% | New Bedford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Bedford
$56,025
Norfolk
$64,017
Norfolk +
Per Capita Income
New Bedford
$30,475
Norfolk
$37,433
Norfolk +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Bedford
$85,405
New Bedford +
Norfolk
$69,581
Unemployment Rate
New Bedford
7.6%
Norfolk
6.1%
Norfolk +
Poverty Rate
New Bedford
19.9%
Norfolk
17.3%
Norfolk +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Bedford
16.8%
Norfolk
32.7%
Norfolk +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,025 | $64,017 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,475 | $37,433 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $69,581 | New Bedford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 6.1% | Norfolk + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.9% | 17.3% | Norfolk + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 16.8% | 32.7% | Norfolk + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Bedford
$439,767
Norfolk
$310,519
Norfolk +
Homeownership Rate
New Bedford
40.0%
Norfolk
45.7%
Norfolk +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $439,767 | $310,519 | Norfolk + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.0% | 45.7% | Norfolk + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Bedford
326
Norfolk
240
Norfolk +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Bedford
1086
New Bedford +
Norfolk
1726
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 240 | Norfolk + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1726 | New Bedford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
36.3%
New Bedford +
Norfolk
39.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
13.2%
Norfolk
12.4%
Norfolk +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Bedford
22.0%
Norfolk
19.4%
Norfolk +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
11.1%
Norfolk
10.9%
Norfolk +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
16.0%
New Bedford +
Norfolk
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
21.4%
Norfolk
13.7%
Norfolk +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 39.9% | New Bedford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 12.4% | Norfolk + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.0% | 19.4% | Norfolk + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 10.9% | Norfolk + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 17.1% | New Bedford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.4% | 13.7% | Norfolk + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Bedford
51.8°F
New Bedford +
Norfolk
60.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Bedford
51.9 in
Norfolk
50.8 in
Norfolk +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.8°F | 60.6°F | New Bedford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.9 in | 50.8 in | Norfolk + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Bedford
7.2 µg/m³
New Bedford +
Norfolk
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Bedford
75.0%
Norfolk
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Norfolk, 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
Norfolk
24.4 min
Norfolk +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.2 min | 24.4 min | Norfolk + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norfolk leads in median household income at $64,017, while norfolk offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $310,519. On public safety, Norfolk is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in New Bedford. Norfolk has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, 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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