New Bedford MA vs Oxnard CA — 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%
Oxnard, CA
California · Population: 201,014
- Median HH Income$93,372
- Median Home Price$765,773
- Unemployment6.6%
- Bachelor's+19.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
New Bedford
100,731
Oxnard
201,014
Oxnard +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Bedford
N/A
Oxnard
N/A
Median Age
New Bedford
37.0
Oxnard
34.0
Oxnard +
Foreign Born
New Bedford
20.7%
Oxnard
33.8%
Oxnard +
White
New Bedford
57.5%
New Bedford +
Oxnard
36.9%
Black
New Bedford
6.0%
New Bedford +
Oxnard
1.8%
Asian
New Bedford
1.5%
Oxnard
6.6%
Oxnard +
Hispanic
New Bedford
24.5%
Oxnard
77.0%
Oxnard +
Spanish at Home
New Bedford
N/A
Oxnard
N/A
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Oxnard, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,731 | 201,014 | Oxnard + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.0 | 34.0 | Oxnard + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 33.8% | Oxnard + |
| White | 57.5% | 36.9% | New Bedford + |
| Black | 6.0% | 1.8% | New Bedford + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 6.6% | Oxnard + |
| Hispanic | 24.5% | 77.0% | Oxnard + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Bedford
$56,025
Oxnard
$93,372
Oxnard +
Per Capita Income
New Bedford
$30,475
New Bedford +
Oxnard
$30,413
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Bedford
$85,405
New Bedford +
Oxnard
$77,230
Unemployment Rate
New Bedford
7.6%
Oxnard
6.6%
Oxnard +
Poverty Rate
New Bedford
19.9%
Oxnard
10.8%
Oxnard +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Bedford
16.8%
Oxnard
19.6%
Oxnard +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Oxnard, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,025 | $93,372 | Oxnard + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,475 | $30,413 | New Bedford + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $77,230 | New Bedford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 6.6% | Oxnard + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.9% | 10.8% | Oxnard + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 16.8% | 19.6% | Oxnard + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Bedford
$439,767
New Bedford +
Oxnard
$765,773
Homeownership Rate
New Bedford
40.0%
Oxnard
53.9%
Oxnard +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Oxnard, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $439,767 | $765,773 | New Bedford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.0% | 53.9% | Oxnard + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Bedford
326
New Bedford +
Oxnard
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Bedford
1086
New Bedford +
Oxnard
2388
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Oxnard, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 503 | New Bedford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 2388 | New Bedford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
36.3%
Oxnard
28.4%
Oxnard +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
13.2%
Oxnard
12.8%
Oxnard +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Bedford
22.0%
Oxnard
17.9%
Oxnard +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
11.1%
New Bedford +
Oxnard
19.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
16.0%
Oxnard
15.6%
Oxnard +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
21.4%
Oxnard
12.0%
Oxnard +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Oxnard, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 28.4% | Oxnard + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 12.8% | Oxnard + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.0% | 17.9% | Oxnard + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 19.2% | New Bedford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 15.6% | Oxnard + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.4% | 12.0% | Oxnard + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Bedford
51.8°F
New Bedford +
Oxnard
61.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Bedford
51.9 in
Oxnard
15.3 in
Oxnard +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Oxnard, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.8°F | 61.2°F | New Bedford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.9 in | 15.3 in | Oxnard + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Bedford
7.2 µg/m³
New Bedford +
Oxnard
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Bedford
75.0%
Oxnard
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Oxnard, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | New Bedford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Bedford
27.2 min
Oxnard
27.1 min
Oxnard +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Oxnard, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.2 min | 27.1 min | Oxnard + |
Which City is Right for You?
Oxnard leads in median household income at $93,372, while new Bedford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $439,767. On public safety, New Bedford is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Oxnard. Oxnard has a lower unemployment rate at 6.6%, and New Bedford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Oxnard scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.4%.
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