New Bedford MA vs Palm Bay FL — 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%
Palm Bay, FL
Florida · Population: 125,273
- Median HH Income$67,521
- Median Home Price$304,173
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+22.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
New Bedford
100,731
Palm Bay
125,273
Palm Bay +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Bedford
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
Median Age
New Bedford
37.0
New Bedford +
Palm Bay
41.3
Foreign Born
New Bedford
20.7%
New Bedford +
Palm Bay
15.1%
White
New Bedford
57.5%
Palm Bay
59.2%
Palm Bay +
Black
New Bedford
6.0%
Palm Bay
19.3%
Palm Bay +
Asian
New Bedford
1.5%
Palm Bay
2.1%
Palm Bay +
Hispanic
New Bedford
24.5%
New Bedford +
Palm Bay
19.7%
Spanish at Home
New Bedford
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,731 | 125,273 | Palm Bay + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.0 | 41.3 | New Bedford + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 15.1% | New Bedford + |
| White | 57.5% | 59.2% | Palm Bay + |
| Black | 6.0% | 19.3% | Palm Bay + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 2.1% | Palm Bay + |
| Hispanic | 24.5% | 19.7% | New Bedford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Bedford
$56,025
Palm Bay
$67,521
Palm Bay +
Per Capita Income
New Bedford
$30,475
Palm Bay
$34,474
Palm Bay +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Bedford
$85,405
New Bedford +
Palm Bay
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
New Bedford
7.6%
Palm Bay
5.9%
Palm Bay +
Poverty Rate
New Bedford
19.9%
Palm Bay
11.6%
Palm Bay +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Bedford
16.8%
Palm Bay
22.6%
Palm Bay +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,025 | $67,521 | Palm Bay + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,475 | $34,474 | Palm Bay + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $65,328 | New Bedford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 5.9% | Palm Bay + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.9% | 11.6% | Palm Bay + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 16.8% | 22.6% | Palm Bay + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Bedford
$439,767
Palm Bay
$304,173
Palm Bay +
Homeownership Rate
New Bedford
40.0%
Palm Bay
79.3%
Palm Bay +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $439,767 | $304,173 | Palm Bay + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.0% | 79.3% | Palm Bay + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Bedford
326
Palm Bay
324
Palm Bay +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Bedford
1086
New Bedford +
Palm Bay
1453
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 324 | Palm Bay + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1453 | New Bedford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
36.3%
New Bedford +
Palm Bay
36.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
13.2%
New Bedford +
Palm Bay
14.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Bedford
22.0%
Palm Bay
17.6%
Palm Bay +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
11.1%
New Bedford +
Palm Bay
14.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
16.0%
Palm Bay
14.4%
Palm Bay +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
21.4%
Palm Bay
14.5%
Palm Bay +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 36.5% | New Bedford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 14.0% | New Bedford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.0% | 17.6% | Palm Bay + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 14.2% | New Bedford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 14.4% | Palm Bay + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.4% | 14.5% | Palm Bay + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Bedford
51.8°F
Palm Bay
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Bedford
51.9 in
Palm Bay
N/A
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Palm Bay, FL | 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
Palm Bay
7.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Bedford
75.0%
Palm Bay
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Bedford
27.2 min
New Bedford +
Palm Bay
29.6 min
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.2 min | 29.6 min | New Bedford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Palm Bay leads in median household income at $67,521, while palm Bay offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $304,173. On public safety, Palm Bay is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in New Bedford. Palm Bay has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Palm Bay 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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