New Bedford MA vs Odessa TX — 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%
Odessa, TX
Texas · Population: 114,080
- Median HH Income$73,030
- Median Home Price$253,423
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+18.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
New Bedford
100,731
Odessa
114,080
Odessa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Bedford
N/A
Odessa
N/A
Median Age
New Bedford
37.0
Odessa
31.0
Odessa +
Foreign Born
New Bedford
20.7%
New Bedford +
Odessa
14.5%
White
New Bedford
57.5%
New Bedford +
Odessa
51.9%
Black
New Bedford
6.0%
Odessa
6.8%
Odessa +
Asian
New Bedford
1.5%
Odessa
1.9%
Odessa +
Hispanic
New Bedford
24.5%
Odessa
61.2%
Odessa +
Spanish at Home
New Bedford
N/A
Odessa
N/A
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,731 | 114,080 | Odessa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.0 | 31.0 | Odessa + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 14.5% | New Bedford + |
| White | 57.5% | 51.9% | New Bedford + |
| Black | 6.0% | 6.8% | Odessa + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 1.9% | Odessa + |
| Hispanic | 24.5% | 61.2% | Odessa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Bedford
$56,025
Odessa
$73,030
Odessa +
Per Capita Income
New Bedford
$30,475
Odessa
$35,655
Odessa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Bedford
$85,405
New Bedford +
Odessa
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
New Bedford
7.6%
Odessa
5.5%
Odessa +
Poverty Rate
New Bedford
19.9%
Odessa
14.4%
Odessa +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Bedford
16.8%
Odessa
18.3%
Odessa +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,025 | $73,030 | Odessa + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,475 | $35,655 | Odessa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $63,758 | New Bedford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 5.5% | Odessa + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.9% | 14.4% | Odessa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 16.8% | 18.3% | Odessa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Bedford
$439,767
Odessa
$253,423
Odessa +
Homeownership Rate
New Bedford
40.0%
Odessa
59.2%
Odessa +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $439,767 | $253,423 | Odessa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.0% | 59.2% | Odessa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Bedford
326
New Bedford +
Odessa
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Bedford
1086
New Bedford +
Odessa
2339
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 442 | New Bedford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 2339 | New Bedford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
36.3%
New Bedford +
Odessa
39.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
13.2%
Odessa
12.9%
Odessa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Bedford
22.0%
Odessa
18.0%
Odessa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
11.1%
New Bedford +
Odessa
25.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
16.0%
New Bedford +
Odessa
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
21.4%
Odessa
14.0%
Odessa +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 39.4% | New Bedford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 12.9% | Odessa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.0% | 18.0% | Odessa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 25.4% | New Bedford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 18.1% | New Bedford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.4% | 14.0% | Odessa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Bedford
51.8°F
New Bedford +
Odessa
65.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Bedford
51.9 in
Odessa
13.5 in
Odessa +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.8°F | 65.6°F | New Bedford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.9 in | 13.5 in | Odessa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Bedford
7.2 µg/m³
New Bedford +
Odessa
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Bedford
75.0%
New Bedford +
Odessa
55.0%
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | New Bedford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | New Bedford + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Bedford
27.2 min
Odessa
23.7 min
Odessa +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.2 min | 23.7 min | Odessa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Odessa leads in median household income at $73,030, while odessa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $253,423. On public safety, New Bedford is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Odessa. Odessa has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, 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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