New Bedford MA vs Peoria IL — 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%
Peoria, IL
Illinois · Population: 11,626
- Median HH Income$83,102
- Median Home Price$132,671
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+27.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
New Bedford
100,731
New Bedford +
Peoria
11,626
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Bedford
N/A
Peoria
N/A
Median Age
New Bedford
37.0
Peoria
33.1
Peoria +
Foreign Born
New Bedford
20.7%
New Bedford +
Peoria
12.6%
White
New Bedford
57.5%
Peoria
59.6%
Peoria +
Black
New Bedford
6.0%
New Bedford +
Peoria
4.7%
Asian
New Bedford
1.5%
Peoria
1.6%
Peoria +
Hispanic
New Bedford
24.5%
Peoria
37.0%
Peoria +
Spanish at Home
New Bedford
N/A
Peoria
N/A
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,731 | 11,626 | New Bedford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.0 | 33.1 | Peoria + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 12.6% | New Bedford + |
| White | 57.5% | 59.6% | Peoria + |
| Black | 6.0% | 4.7% | New Bedford + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 1.6% | Peoria + |
| Hispanic | 24.5% | 37.0% | Peoria + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Bedford
$56,025
Peoria
$83,102
Peoria +
Per Capita Income
New Bedford
$30,475
Peoria
$33,805
Peoria +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Bedford
$85,405
New Bedford +
Peoria
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
New Bedford
7.6%
Peoria
4.8%
Peoria +
Poverty Rate
New Bedford
19.9%
Peoria
8.2%
Peoria +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Bedford
16.8%
Peoria
27.6%
Peoria +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,025 | $83,102 | Peoria + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,475 | $33,805 | Peoria + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $68,110 | New Bedford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 4.8% | Peoria + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.9% | 8.2% | Peoria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 16.8% | 27.6% | Peoria + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Bedford
$439,767
Peoria
$132,671
Peoria +
Homeownership Rate
New Bedford
40.0%
Peoria
73.5%
Peoria +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $439,767 | $132,671 | Peoria + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.0% | 73.5% | Peoria + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Bedford
326
New Bedford +
Peoria
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Bedford
1086
New Bedford +
Peoria
1842
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 344 | New Bedford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1842 | New Bedford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
36.3%
Peoria
36.2%
Peoria +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
13.2%
New Bedford +
Peoria
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Bedford
22.0%
Peoria
17.8%
Peoria +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
11.1%
Peoria
9.3%
Peoria +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
16.0%
New Bedford +
Peoria
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
21.4%
Peoria
15.1%
Peoria +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 36.2% | Peoria + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 13.5% | New Bedford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.0% | 17.8% | Peoria + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 9.3% | Peoria + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 16.2% | New Bedford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.4% | 15.1% | Peoria + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Bedford
51.8°F
Peoria
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Bedford
51.9 in
Peoria
38.0 in
Peoria +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.8°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.9 in | 38.0 in | Peoria + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Bedford
7.2 µg/m³
New Bedford +
Peoria
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Bedford
75.0%
New Bedford +
Peoria
55.0%
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 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 +
Peoria
34.4 min
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.2 min | 34.4 min | New Bedford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Peoria leads in median household income at $83,102, while peoria offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $132,671. On public safety, New Bedford is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Peoria. Peoria has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and New Bedford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Peoria scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.2%.
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