New Bedford MA vs Plano TX — 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%
Plano, TX
Texas · Population: 287,339
- Median HH Income$108,649
- Median Home Price$507,575
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
New Bedford
100,731
Plano
287,339
Plano +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Bedford
N/A
Plano
N/A
Median Age
New Bedford
37.0
New Bedford +
Plano
39.3
Foreign Born
New Bedford
20.7%
Plano
28.7%
Plano +
White
New Bedford
57.5%
New Bedford +
Plano
53.2%
Black
New Bedford
6.0%
Plano
9.0%
Plano +
Asian
New Bedford
1.5%
Plano
22.6%
Plano +
Hispanic
New Bedford
24.5%
New Bedford +
Plano
16.2%
Spanish at Home
New Bedford
N/A
Plano
N/A
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,731 | 287,339 | Plano + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.0 | 39.3 | New Bedford + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 28.7% | Plano + |
| White | 57.5% | 53.2% | New Bedford + |
| Black | 6.0% | 9.0% | Plano + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 22.6% | Plano + |
| Hispanic | 24.5% | 16.2% | New Bedford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Bedford
$56,025
Plano
$108,649
Plano +
Per Capita Income
New Bedford
$30,475
Plano
$57,753
Plano +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Bedford
$85,405
New Bedford +
Plano
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
New Bedford
7.6%
Plano
4.1%
Plano +
Poverty Rate
New Bedford
19.9%
Plano
7.1%
Plano +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Bedford
16.8%
Plano
59.2%
Plano +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,025 | $108,649 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,475 | $57,753 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $63,758 | New Bedford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 4.1% | Plano + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.9% | 7.1% | Plano + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 16.8% | 59.2% | Plano + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Bedford
$439,767
New Bedford +
Plano
$507,575
Homeownership Rate
New Bedford
40.0%
Plano
56.6%
Plano +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $439,767 | $507,575 | New Bedford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.0% | 56.6% | Plano + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Bedford
326
New Bedford +
Plano
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Bedford
1086
New Bedford +
Plano
2339
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 442 | New Bedford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 2339 | New Bedford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
36.3%
Plano
31.2%
Plano +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
13.2%
Plano
9.9%
Plano +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Bedford
22.0%
Plano
14.0%
Plano +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
11.1%
Plano
10.3%
Plano +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
16.0%
New Bedford +
Plano
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
21.4%
Plano
8.8%
Plano +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 31.2% | Plano + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 9.9% | Plano + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.0% | 14.0% | Plano + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 10.3% | Plano + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 16.4% | New Bedford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.4% | 8.8% | Plano + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Bedford
51.8°F
Plano
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Bedford
51.9 in
Plano
N/A
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Plano, TX | 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 +
Plano
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Bedford
75.0%
New Bedford +
Plano
55.0%
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 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 +
Plano
27.6 min
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.2 min | 27.6 min | New Bedford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Plano leads in median household income at $108,649, while new Bedford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $439,767. On public safety, New Bedford is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Plano. Plano has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and New Bedford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Plano scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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