CityCompare

New Bedford MA vs Port St. Lucie FL — 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%

Port St. Lucie, FL

Florida · Population: 220,453

  • Median HH Income$78,137
  • Median Home Price$327,700
  • Unemployment5.5%
  • Bachelor's+26.8%

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population
New Bedford
100,731
Port St. Lucie
220,453
Port St. Lucie +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Bedford
N/A
Port St. Lucie
N/A
Median Age
New Bedford
37.0
New Bedford +
Port St. Lucie
43.7
Foreign Born
New Bedford
20.7%
New Bedford +
Port St. Lucie
19.5%
White
New Bedford
57.5%
Port St. Lucie
60.0%
Port St. Lucie +
Black
New Bedford
6.0%
Port St. Lucie
19.2%
Port St. Lucie +
Asian
New Bedford
1.5%
Port St. Lucie
2.2%
Port St. Lucie +
Hispanic
New Bedford
24.5%
New Bedford +
Port St. Lucie
23.0%
Spanish at Home
New Bedford
N/A
Port St. Lucie
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
New Bedford
$56,025
Port St. Lucie
$78,137
Port St. Lucie +
Per Capita Income
New Bedford
$30,475
Port St. Lucie
$36,352
Port St. Lucie +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Bedford
$85,405
New Bedford +
Port St. Lucie
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
New Bedford
7.6%
Port St. Lucie
5.5%
Port St. Lucie +
Poverty Rate
New Bedford
19.9%
Port St. Lucie
8.5%
Port St. Lucie +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Bedford
16.8%
Port St. Lucie
26.8%
Port St. Lucie +

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Bedford
$439,767
Port St. Lucie
$327,700
Port St. Lucie +
Homeownership Rate
New Bedford
40.0%
Port St. Lucie
83.2%
Port St. Lucie +

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Bedford
326
Port St. Lucie
324
Port St. Lucie +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Bedford
1086
New Bedford +
Port St. Lucie
1453

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
36.3%
Port St. Lucie
30.5%
Port St. Lucie +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
13.2%
Port St. Lucie
13.1%
Port St. Lucie +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Bedford
22.0%
Port St. Lucie
16.6%
Port St. Lucie +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
11.1%
New Bedford +
Port St. Lucie
14.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
16.0%
Port St. Lucie
14.5%
Port St. Lucie +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
21.4%
Port St. Lucie
12.9%
Port St. Lucie +

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Bedford
51.8°F
Port St. Lucie
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Bedford
51.9 in
Port St. Lucie
N/A

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Bedford
7.2 µg/m³
Port St. Lucie
7.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Bedford
75.0%
Port St. Lucie
75.0%
Tie

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Bedford
27.2 min
New Bedford +
Port St. Lucie
32.0 min

Which City is Right for You?

Port St. Lucie leads in median household income at $78,137, while port St. Lucie offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $327,700. On public safety, Port St. Lucie is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in New Bedford. Port St. Lucie has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Port St. Lucie has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Port St. Lucie scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.5%.

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About New Bedford & Port St. Lucie

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