New Bedford MA vs North Charleston SC — 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%
North Charleston, SC
South Carolina · Population: 117,460
- Median HH Income$62,789
- Median Home Price$313,219
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+28.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
New Bedford
100,731
North Charleston
117,460
North Charleston +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Bedford
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
Median Age
New Bedford
37.0
North Charleston
34.3
North Charleston +
Foreign Born
New Bedford
20.7%
New Bedford +
North Charleston
12.2%
White
New Bedford
57.5%
New Bedford +
North Charleston
39.1%
Black
New Bedford
6.0%
North Charleston
42.2%
North Charleston +
Asian
New Bedford
1.5%
North Charleston
3.5%
North Charleston +
Hispanic
New Bedford
24.5%
New Bedford +
North Charleston
12.8%
Spanish at Home
New Bedford
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,731 | 117,460 | North Charleston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.0 | 34.3 | North Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 12.2% | New Bedford + |
| White | 57.5% | 39.1% | New Bedford + |
| Black | 6.0% | 42.2% | North Charleston + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 3.5% | North Charleston + |
| Hispanic | 24.5% | 12.8% | New Bedford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Bedford
$56,025
North Charleston
$62,789
North Charleston +
Per Capita Income
New Bedford
$30,475
North Charleston
$35,740
North Charleston +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Bedford
$85,405
New Bedford +
North Charleston
$54,550
Unemployment Rate
New Bedford
7.6%
North Charleston
4.3%
North Charleston +
Poverty Rate
New Bedford
19.9%
North Charleston
15.5%
North Charleston +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Bedford
16.8%
North Charleston
28.0%
North Charleston +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,025 | $62,789 | North Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,475 | $35,740 | North Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $54,550 | New Bedford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 4.3% | North Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.9% | 15.5% | North Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 16.8% | 28.0% | North Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Bedford
$439,767
North Charleston
$313,219
North Charleston +
Homeownership Rate
New Bedford
40.0%
North Charleston
48.5%
North Charleston +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $439,767 | $313,219 | North Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.0% | 48.5% | North Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Bedford
326
New Bedford +
North Charleston
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Bedford
1086
New Bedford +
North Charleston
1999
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 398 | New Bedford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1999 | New Bedford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
36.3%
North Charleston
35.2%
North Charleston +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
13.2%
North Charleston
13.2%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Bedford
22.0%
North Charleston
17.5%
North Charleston +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
11.1%
New Bedford +
North Charleston
15.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
16.0%
New Bedford +
North Charleston
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
21.4%
North Charleston
14.3%
North Charleston +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 35.2% | North Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 13.2% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.0% | 17.5% | North Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 15.3% | New Bedford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 19.8% | New Bedford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.4% | 14.3% | North Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Bedford
51.8°F
North Charleston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Bedford
51.9 in
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.8°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.9 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Bedford
7.2 µg/m³
New Bedford +
North Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Bedford
75.0%
North Charleston
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | New Bedford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Bedford
27.2 min
North Charleston
26.8 min
North Charleston +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.2 min | 26.8 min | North Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
North Charleston leads in median household income at $62,789, while north Charleston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,219. On public safety, New Bedford is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in North Charleston. North Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and New Bedford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, North Charleston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.2%.
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