New Bedford MA vs Pittsburgh 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%
Pittsburgh, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 303,620
- Median HH Income$64,137
- Median Home Price$240,538
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+47.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
New Bedford
100,731
Pittsburgh
303,620
Pittsburgh +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Bedford
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
Median Age
New Bedford
37.0
Pittsburgh
33.5
Pittsburgh +
Foreign Born
New Bedford
20.7%
New Bedford +
Pittsburgh
9.3%
White
New Bedford
57.5%
Pittsburgh
63.7%
Pittsburgh +
Black
New Bedford
6.0%
Pittsburgh
22.5%
Pittsburgh +
Asian
New Bedford
1.5%
Pittsburgh
5.8%
Pittsburgh +
Hispanic
New Bedford
24.5%
New Bedford +
Pittsburgh
4.2%
Spanish at Home
New Bedford
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,731 | 303,620 | Pittsburgh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.0 | 33.5 | Pittsburgh + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 9.3% | New Bedford + |
| White | 57.5% | 63.7% | Pittsburgh + |
| Black | 6.0% | 22.5% | Pittsburgh + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 5.8% | Pittsburgh + |
| Hispanic | 24.5% | 4.2% | New Bedford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Bedford
$56,025
Pittsburgh
$64,137
Pittsburgh +
Per Capita Income
New Bedford
$30,475
Pittsburgh
$43,590
Pittsburgh +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Bedford
$85,405
New Bedford +
Pittsburgh
$65,080
Unemployment Rate
New Bedford
7.6%
Pittsburgh
5.9%
Pittsburgh +
Poverty Rate
New Bedford
19.9%
Pittsburgh
19.5%
Pittsburgh +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Bedford
16.8%
Pittsburgh
47.8%
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,025 | $64,137 | Pittsburgh + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,475 | $43,590 | Pittsburgh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $65,080 | New Bedford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 5.9% | Pittsburgh + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.9% | 19.5% | Pittsburgh + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 16.8% | 47.8% | Pittsburgh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Bedford
$439,767
Pittsburgh
$240,538
Pittsburgh +
Homeownership Rate
New Bedford
40.0%
Pittsburgh
47.2%
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $439,767 | $240,538 | Pittsburgh + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.0% | 47.2% | Pittsburgh + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Bedford
326
Pittsburgh
319
Pittsburgh +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Bedford
1086
New Bedford +
Pittsburgh
1613
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 319 | Pittsburgh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1613 | New Bedford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
36.3%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
13.2%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Bedford
22.0%
Pittsburgh
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
11.1%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
16.0%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
21.4%
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Pittsburgh, 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
Pittsburgh
51.8°F
Tie
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Bedford
51.9 in
Pittsburgh
39.3 in
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.8°F | 51.8°F | Tie |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.9 in | 39.3 in | Pittsburgh + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Bedford
7.2 µg/m³
New Bedford +
Pittsburgh
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Bedford
75.0%
New Bedford +
Pittsburgh
55.0%
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Pittsburgh, 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
Pittsburgh
25.0 min
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.2 min | 25.0 min | Pittsburgh + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pittsburgh leads in median household income at $64,137, while pittsburgh offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $240,538. On public safety, Pittsburgh is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in New Bedford. Pittsburgh has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and New Bedford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³).
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