New Bedford MA vs Pasadena 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%
Pasadena, TX
Texas · Population: 125,983
- Median HH Income$112,470
- Median Home Price$218,978
- Unemployment3.1%
- Bachelor's+47.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
New Bedford
100,731
Pasadena
125,983
Pasadena +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Bedford
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
Median Age
New Bedford
37.0
Pasadena
36.5
Pasadena +
Foreign Born
New Bedford
20.7%
New Bedford +
Pasadena
19.3%
White
New Bedford
57.5%
New Bedford +
Pasadena
45.5%
Black
New Bedford
6.0%
Pasadena
18.1%
Pasadena +
Asian
New Bedford
1.5%
Pasadena
17.0%
Pasadena +
Hispanic
New Bedford
24.5%
Pasadena
25.4%
Pasadena +
Spanish at Home
New Bedford
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,731 | 125,983 | Pasadena + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.0 | 36.5 | Pasadena + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 19.3% | New Bedford + |
| White | 57.5% | 45.5% | New Bedford + |
| Black | 6.0% | 18.1% | Pasadena + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 17.0% | Pasadena + |
| Hispanic | 24.5% | 25.4% | Pasadena + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Bedford
$56,025
Pasadena
$112,470
Pasadena +
Per Capita Income
New Bedford
$30,475
Pasadena
$49,845
Pasadena +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Bedford
$85,405
New Bedford +
Pasadena
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
New Bedford
7.6%
Pasadena
3.1%
Pasadena +
Poverty Rate
New Bedford
19.9%
Pasadena
4.2%
Pasadena +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Bedford
16.8%
Pasadena
47.4%
Pasadena +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,025 | $112,470 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,475 | $49,845 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $63,758 | New Bedford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 3.1% | Pasadena + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.9% | 4.2% | Pasadena + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 16.8% | 47.4% | Pasadena + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Bedford
$439,767
Pasadena
$218,978
Pasadena +
Homeownership Rate
New Bedford
40.0%
Pasadena
76.6%
Pasadena +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $439,767 | $218,978 | Pasadena + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.0% | 76.6% | Pasadena + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Bedford
326
New Bedford +
Pasadena
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Bedford
1086
New Bedford +
Pasadena
2339
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Pasadena, 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 +
Pasadena
39.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
13.2%
New Bedford +
Pasadena
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Bedford
22.0%
Pasadena
17.8%
Pasadena +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
11.1%
New Bedford +
Pasadena
32.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
16.0%
New Bedford +
Pasadena
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
21.4%
Pasadena
14.6%
Pasadena +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 39.1% | New Bedford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 14.6% | New Bedford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.0% | 17.8% | Pasadena + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 32.1% | New Bedford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 17.1% | New Bedford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.4% | 14.6% | Pasadena + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Bedford
51.8°F
Pasadena
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Bedford
51.9 in
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Pasadena, TX | 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 +
Pasadena
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Bedford
75.0%
New Bedford +
Pasadena
55.0%
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Pasadena, 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
New Bedford +
Pasadena
36.1 min
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.2 min | 36.1 min | New Bedford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pasadena leads in median household income at $112,470, while pasadena offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $218,978. On public safety, New Bedford is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Pasadena. Pasadena has a lower unemployment rate at 3.1%, 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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