New Bedford MA vs Philadelphia PA — 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%
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
New Bedford
100,731
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Bedford
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Median Age
New Bedford
37.0
Philadelphia
35.1
Philadelphia +
Foreign Born
New Bedford
20.7%
New Bedford +
Philadelphia
14.6%
White
New Bedford
57.5%
New Bedford +
Philadelphia
36.1%
Black
New Bedford
6.0%
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Asian
New Bedford
1.5%
Philadelphia
7.8%
Philadelphia +
Hispanic
New Bedford
24.5%
New Bedford +
Philadelphia
15.2%
Spanish at Home
New Bedford
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,731 | 1,582,432 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.0 | 35.1 | Philadelphia + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 14.6% | New Bedford + |
| White | 57.5% | 36.1% | New Bedford + |
| Black | 6.0% | 39.9% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 7.8% | Philadelphia + |
| Hispanic | 24.5% | 15.2% | New Bedford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Bedford
$56,025
Philadelphia
$60,698
Philadelphia +
Per Capita Income
New Bedford
$30,475
Philadelphia
$37,669
Philadelphia +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Bedford
$85,405
New Bedford +
Philadelphia
$65,080
Unemployment Rate
New Bedford
7.6%
New Bedford +
Philadelphia
8.4%
Poverty Rate
New Bedford
19.9%
New Bedford +
Philadelphia
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
New Bedford
16.8%
Philadelphia
34.6%
Philadelphia +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,025 | $60,698 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,475 | $37,669 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $65,080 | New Bedford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 8.4% | New Bedford + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.9% | 22.0% | New Bedford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 16.8% | 34.6% | Philadelphia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Bedford
$439,767
Philadelphia
$233,814
Philadelphia +
Homeownership Rate
New Bedford
40.0%
Philadelphia
52.3%
Philadelphia +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $439,767 | $233,814 | Philadelphia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.0% | 52.3% | Philadelphia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Bedford
326
Philadelphia
319
Philadelphia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Bedford
1086
New Bedford +
Philadelphia
1613
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 319 | Philadelphia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1613 | New Bedford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
36.3%
Philadelphia
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
13.2%
Philadelphia
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Bedford
22.0%
Philadelphia
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
11.1%
Philadelphia
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
16.0%
Philadelphia
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
21.4%
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.0% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.1% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.4% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Bedford
51.8°F
New Bedford +
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Bedford
51.9 in
Philadelphia
48.5 in
Philadelphia +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.8°F | 57.1°F | New Bedford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.9 in | 48.5 in | Philadelphia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Bedford
7.2 µg/m³
New Bedford +
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Bedford
75.0%
New Bedford +
Philadelphia
55.0%
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.8 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 +
Philadelphia
34.5 min
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.2 min | 34.5 min | New Bedford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Philadelphia leads in median household income at $60,698, while philadelphia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $233,814. On public safety, Philadelphia is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in New Bedford. New Bedford has a lower unemployment rate at 7.6%, and New Bedford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³).
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