New Bedford MA vs Omaha NE — 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%
Omaha, NE
Nebraska · Population: 488,197
- Median HH Income$72,708
- Median Home Price$297,017
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+40.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
New Bedford
100,731
Omaha
488,197
Omaha +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Bedford
N/A
Omaha
N/A
Median Age
New Bedford
37.0
Omaha
35.3
Omaha +
Foreign Born
New Bedford
20.7%
New Bedford +
Omaha
10.9%
White
New Bedford
57.5%
Omaha
68.8%
Omaha +
Black
New Bedford
6.0%
Omaha
11.8%
Omaha +
Asian
New Bedford
1.5%
Omaha
4.0%
Omaha +
Hispanic
New Bedford
24.5%
New Bedford +
Omaha
15.6%
Spanish at Home
New Bedford
N/A
Omaha
N/A
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,731 | 488,197 | Omaha + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.0 | 35.3 | Omaha + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 10.9% | New Bedford + |
| White | 57.5% | 68.8% | Omaha + |
| Black | 6.0% | 11.8% | Omaha + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 4.0% | Omaha + |
| Hispanic | 24.5% | 15.6% | New Bedford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Bedford
$56,025
Omaha
$72,708
Omaha +
Per Capita Income
New Bedford
$30,475
Omaha
$42,515
Omaha +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Bedford
$85,405
New Bedford +
Omaha
$66,354
Unemployment Rate
New Bedford
7.6%
Omaha
4.2%
Omaha +
Poverty Rate
New Bedford
19.9%
Omaha
12.8%
Omaha +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Bedford
16.8%
Omaha
40.3%
Omaha +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,025 | $72,708 | Omaha + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,475 | $42,515 | Omaha + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $66,354 | New Bedford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 4.2% | Omaha + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.9% | 12.8% | Omaha + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 16.8% | 40.3% | Omaha + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Bedford
$439,767
Omaha
$297,017
Omaha +
Homeownership Rate
New Bedford
40.0%
Omaha
57.7%
Omaha +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $439,767 | $297,017 | Omaha + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.0% | 57.7% | Omaha + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Bedford
326
Omaha
294
Omaha +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Bedford
1086
New Bedford +
Omaha
1960
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 294 | Omaha + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1960 | New Bedford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
36.3%
New Bedford +
Omaha
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
13.2%
Omaha
10.2%
Omaha +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Bedford
22.0%
Omaha
15.2%
Omaha +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
11.1%
New Bedford +
Omaha
12.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
16.0%
New Bedford +
Omaha
20.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
21.4%
Omaha
14.2%
Omaha +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 37.5% | New Bedford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 10.2% | Omaha + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.0% | 15.2% | Omaha + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 12.0% | New Bedford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 20.0% | New Bedford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.4% | 14.2% | Omaha + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Bedford
51.8°F
Omaha
51.1°F
Omaha +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Bedford
51.9 in
Omaha
30.6 in
Omaha +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.8°F | 51.1°F | Omaha + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.9 in | 30.6 in | Omaha + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Bedford
7.2 µg/m³
New Bedford +
Omaha
7.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Bedford
75.0%
Omaha
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | New Bedford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Bedford
27.2 min
Omaha
21.1 min
Omaha +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.2 min | 21.1 min | Omaha + |
Which City is Right for You?
Omaha leads in median household income at $72,708, while omaha offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $297,017. On public safety, Omaha is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in New Bedford. Omaha has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, 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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