New Bedford MA vs Phoenix AZ — 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%
Phoenix, AZ
Arizona · Population: 1,624,832
- Median HH Income$77,041
- Median Home Price$411,323
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
New Bedford
100,731
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Bedford
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
Median Age
New Bedford
37.0
Phoenix
34.8
Phoenix +
Foreign Born
New Bedford
20.7%
New Bedford +
Phoenix
19.0%
White
New Bedford
57.5%
New Bedford +
Phoenix
53.7%
Black
New Bedford
6.0%
Phoenix
7.8%
Phoenix +
Asian
New Bedford
1.5%
Phoenix
3.9%
Phoenix +
Hispanic
New Bedford
24.5%
Phoenix
41.8%
Phoenix +
Spanish at Home
New Bedford
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,731 | 1,624,832 | Phoenix + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.0 | 34.8 | Phoenix + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 19.0% | New Bedford + |
| White | 57.5% | 53.7% | New Bedford + |
| Black | 6.0% | 7.8% | Phoenix + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 3.9% | Phoenix + |
| Hispanic | 24.5% | 41.8% | Phoenix + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Bedford
$56,025
Phoenix
$77,041
Phoenix +
Per Capita Income
New Bedford
$30,475
Phoenix
$40,309
Phoenix +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Bedford
$85,405
New Bedford +
Phoenix
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
New Bedford
7.6%
Phoenix
5.1%
Phoenix +
Poverty Rate
New Bedford
19.9%
Phoenix
14.3%
Phoenix +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Bedford
16.8%
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,025 | $77,041 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,475 | $40,309 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $59,120 | New Bedford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 5.1% | Phoenix + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.9% | 14.3% | Phoenix + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 16.8% | 32.3% | Phoenix + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Bedford
$439,767
Phoenix
$411,323
Phoenix +
Homeownership Rate
New Bedford
40.0%
Phoenix
57.1%
Phoenix +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $439,767 | $411,323 | Phoenix + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.0% | 57.1% | Phoenix + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Bedford
326
New Bedford +
Phoenix
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Bedford
1086
New Bedford +
Phoenix
2150
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 450 | New Bedford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 2150 | New Bedford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
36.3%
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
13.2%
Phoenix
10.8%
Phoenix +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Bedford
22.0%
Phoenix
16.2%
Phoenix +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
11.1%
New Bedford +
Phoenix
17.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
16.0%
New Bedford +
Phoenix
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
21.4%
Phoenix
12.2%
Phoenix +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 32.3% | Phoenix + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 10.8% | Phoenix + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.0% | 16.2% | Phoenix + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 17.3% | New Bedford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 16.3% | New Bedford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.4% | 12.2% | Phoenix + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Bedford
51.8°F
New Bedford +
Phoenix
72.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Bedford
51.9 in
Phoenix
10.8 in
Phoenix +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.8°F | 72.1°F | New Bedford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.9 in | 10.8 in | Phoenix + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Bedford
7.2 µg/m³
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Phoenix +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Bedford
75.0%
Phoenix
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Phoenix + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Bedford
27.2 min
New Bedford +
Phoenix
27.7 min
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.2 min | 27.7 min | New Bedford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Phoenix leads in median household income at $77,041, while phoenix offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $411,323. On public safety, New Bedford is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Phoenix. Phoenix has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Phoenix has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Phoenix scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.3%.
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