New Bedford MA vs Portland ME — 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%
Portland, ME
Maine · Population: 68,505
- Median HH Income$76,174
- Median Home Price$561,069
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
New Bedford
100,731
New Bedford +
Portland
68,505
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Bedford
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
New Bedford
37.0
New Bedford +
Portland
37.5
Foreign Born
New Bedford
20.7%
New Bedford +
Portland
11.1%
White
New Bedford
57.5%
Portland
80.1%
Portland +
Black
New Bedford
6.0%
Portland
9.0%
Portland +
Asian
New Bedford
1.5%
Portland
3.2%
Portland +
Hispanic
New Bedford
24.5%
New Bedford +
Portland
3.1%
Spanish at Home
New Bedford
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,731 | 68,505 | New Bedford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.0 | 37.5 | New Bedford + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 11.1% | New Bedford + |
| White | 57.5% | 80.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 6.0% | 9.0% | Portland + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 3.2% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 24.5% | 3.1% | New Bedford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Bedford
$56,025
Portland
$76,174
Portland +
Per Capita Income
New Bedford
$30,475
Portland
$52,125
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Bedford
$85,405
New Bedford +
Portland
$61,587
Unemployment Rate
New Bedford
7.6%
Portland
4.4%
Portland +
Poverty Rate
New Bedford
19.9%
Portland
11.3%
Portland +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Bedford
16.8%
Portland
59.2%
Portland +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,025 | $76,174 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,475 | $52,125 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $61,587 | New Bedford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 4.4% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.9% | 11.3% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 16.8% | 59.2% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Bedford
$439,767
New Bedford +
Portland
$561,069
Homeownership Rate
New Bedford
40.0%
Portland
46.7%
Portland +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $439,767 | $561,069 | New Bedford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.0% | 46.7% | Portland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Bedford
326
Portland
106
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Bedford
1086
New Bedford +
Portland
1234
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 106 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1234 | New Bedford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
36.3%
Portland
27.7%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
13.2%
Portland
8.3%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Bedford
22.0%
Portland
17.8%
Portland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
11.1%
Portland
7.2%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
16.0%
New Bedford +
Portland
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
21.4%
Portland
11.1%
Portland +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 27.7% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 8.3% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.0% | 17.8% | Portland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 7.2% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 18.3% | New Bedford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.4% | 11.1% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Bedford
51.8°F
Portland
46.5°F
Portland +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Bedford
51.9 in
Portland
47.3 in
Portland +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.8°F | 46.5°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.9 in | 47.3 in | Portland + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Bedford
7.2 µg/m³
Portland
5.9 µg/m³
Portland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Bedford
75.0%
Portland
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Portland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Bedford
27.2 min
Portland
21.4 min
Portland +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.2 min | 21.4 min | Portland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $76,174, while new Bedford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $439,767. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 106 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in New Bedford. Portland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Portland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.7%.
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