New Bedford MA vs Norman OK — 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%
Norman, OK
Oklahoma · Population: 128,714
- Median HH Income$65,060
- Median Home Price$264,711
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+46.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
New Bedford
100,731
Norman
128,714
Norman +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Bedford
N/A
Norman
N/A
Median Age
New Bedford
37.0
Norman
31.6
Norman +
Foreign Born
New Bedford
20.7%
New Bedford +
Norman
7.2%
White
New Bedford
57.5%
Norman
73.0%
Norman +
Black
New Bedford
6.0%
New Bedford +
Norman
5.1%
Asian
New Bedford
1.5%
Norman
4.2%
Norman +
Hispanic
New Bedford
24.5%
New Bedford +
Norman
9.0%
Spanish at Home
New Bedford
N/A
Norman
N/A
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,731 | 128,714 | Norman + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.0 | 31.6 | Norman + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 7.2% | New Bedford + |
| White | 57.5% | 73.0% | Norman + |
| Black | 6.0% | 5.1% | New Bedford + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 4.2% | Norman + |
| Hispanic | 24.5% | 9.0% | New Bedford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Bedford
$56,025
Norman
$65,060
Norman +
Per Capita Income
New Bedford
$30,475
Norman
$37,897
Norman +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Bedford
$85,405
New Bedford +
Norman
$57,929
Unemployment Rate
New Bedford
7.6%
Norman
5.7%
Norman +
Poverty Rate
New Bedford
19.9%
Norman
17.0%
Norman +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Bedford
16.8%
Norman
46.2%
Norman +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,025 | $65,060 | Norman + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,475 | $37,897 | Norman + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $57,929 | New Bedford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 5.7% | Norman + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.9% | 17.0% | Norman + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 16.8% | 46.2% | Norman + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Bedford
$439,767
Norman
$264,711
Norman +
Homeownership Rate
New Bedford
40.0%
Norman
52.7%
Norman +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $439,767 | $264,711 | Norman + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.0% | 52.7% | Norman + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Bedford
326
New Bedford +
Norman
429
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Bedford
1086
New Bedford +
Norman
2375
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 429 | New Bedford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 2375 | New Bedford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
36.3%
Norman
35.8%
Norman +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
13.2%
Norman
9.8%
Norman +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Bedford
22.0%
Norman
18.8%
Norman +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
11.1%
Norman
9.2%
Norman +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
16.0%
Norman
14.0%
Norman +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
21.4%
Norman
12.8%
Norman +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 35.8% | Norman + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 9.8% | Norman + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.0% | 18.8% | Norman + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 9.2% | Norman + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 14.0% | Norman + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.4% | 12.8% | Norman + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Bedford
51.8°F
New Bedford +
Norman
60.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Bedford
51.9 in
Norman
38.9 in
Norman +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.8°F | 60.2°F | New Bedford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.9 in | 38.9 in | Norman + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Bedford
7.2 µg/m³
New Bedford +
Norman
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Bedford
75.0%
Norman
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | New Bedford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Bedford
27.2 min
Norman
24.2 min
Norman +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.2 min | 24.2 min | Norman + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norman leads in median household income at $65,060, while norman offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $264,711. On public safety, New Bedford is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 429 in Norman. Norman has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and New Bedford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Norman scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
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