New Bedford MA vs Paterson NJ — 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%
Paterson, NJ
New Jersey · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$527,542
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
New Bedford
100,731
Paterson
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Bedford
N/A
Paterson
N/A
Median Age
New Bedford
37.0
Paterson
N/A
Foreign Born
New Bedford
20.7%
Paterson
N/A
White
New Bedford
57.5%
Paterson
N/A
Black
New Bedford
6.0%
Paterson
N/A
Asian
New Bedford
1.5%
Paterson
N/A
Hispanic
New Bedford
24.5%
Paterson
N/A
Spanish at Home
New Bedford
N/A
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,731 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.0 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | N/A | - |
| White | 57.5% | N/A | - |
| Black | 6.0% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 1.5% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 24.5% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Bedford
$56,025
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Income
New Bedford
$30,475
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Bedford
$85,405
New Bedford +
Paterson
$77,416
Unemployment Rate
New Bedford
7.6%
Paterson
N/A
Poverty Rate
New Bedford
19.9%
Paterson
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
New Bedford
16.8%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,025 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $30,475 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $77,416 | New Bedford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 19.9% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 16.8% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Bedford
$439,767
New Bedford +
Paterson
$527,542
Homeownership Rate
New Bedford
40.0%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $439,767 | $527,542 | New Bedford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.0% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Bedford
326
Paterson
218
Paterson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Bedford
1086
New Bedford +
Paterson
1426
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 218 | Paterson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1426 | New Bedford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
36.3%
New Bedford +
Paterson
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
13.2%
New Bedford +
Paterson
16.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Bedford
22.0%
Paterson
18.6%
Paterson +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
11.1%
New Bedford +
Paterson
28.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
16.0%
Paterson
14.3%
Paterson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
21.4%
Paterson
16.4%
Paterson +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 37.5% | New Bedford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 16.1% | New Bedford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.0% | 18.6% | Paterson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 28.6% | New Bedford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 14.3% | Paterson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.4% | 16.4% | Paterson + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Bedford
51.8°F
Paterson
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Bedford
51.9 in
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Paterson, NJ | 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 +
Paterson
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Bedford
75.0%
Paterson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | New Bedford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Bedford
27.2 min
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.2 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
New Bedford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $439,767. On public safety, Paterson is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in New Bedford. 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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