New Bedford MA vs Portland OR — 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, OR
Oregon · Population: 642,715
- Median HH Income$88,792
- Median Home Price$538,687
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+53.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
New Bedford
100,731
Portland
642,715
Portland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Bedford
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
New Bedford
37.0
New Bedford +
Portland
38.6
Foreign Born
New Bedford
20.7%
New Bedford +
Portland
12.4%
White
New Bedford
57.5%
Portland
70.1%
Portland +
Black
New Bedford
6.0%
New Bedford +
Portland
5.8%
Asian
New Bedford
1.5%
Portland
8.1%
Portland +
Hispanic
New Bedford
24.5%
New Bedford +
Portland
11.3%
Spanish at Home
New Bedford
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,731 | 642,715 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.0 | 38.6 | New Bedford + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 12.4% | New Bedford + |
| White | 57.5% | 70.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 6.0% | 5.8% | New Bedford + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 8.1% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 24.5% | 11.3% | New Bedford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Bedford
$56,025
Portland
$88,792
Portland +
Per Capita Income
New Bedford
$30,475
Portland
$55,312
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Bedford
$85,405
New Bedford +
Portland
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
New Bedford
7.6%
Portland
5.5%
Portland +
Poverty Rate
New Bedford
19.9%
Portland
12.8%
Portland +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Bedford
16.8%
Portland
53.5%
Portland +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,025 | $88,792 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,475 | $55,312 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $63,691 | New Bedford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 5.5% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.9% | 12.8% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 16.8% | 53.5% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Bedford
$439,767
New Bedford +
Portland
$538,687
Homeownership Rate
New Bedford
40.0%
Portland
52.8%
Portland +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $439,767 | $538,687 | New Bedford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.0% | 52.8% | Portland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Bedford
326
New Bedford +
Portland
355
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Bedford
1086
New Bedford +
Portland
3001
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 355 | New Bedford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 3001 | New Bedford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
36.3%
Portland
28.5%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
13.2%
Portland
8.9%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Bedford
22.0%
Portland
18.3%
Portland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
11.1%
Portland
7.1%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
16.0%
New Bedford +
Portland
17.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
21.4%
Portland
11.7%
Portland +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 28.5% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 8.9% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.0% | 18.3% | Portland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 7.1% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 17.7% | New Bedford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.4% | 11.7% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Bedford
51.8°F
Portland
51.6°F
Portland +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Bedford
51.9 in
New Bedford +
Portland
78.3 in
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.8°F | 51.6°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.9 in | 78.3 in | New Bedford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Bedford
7.2 µg/m³
New Bedford +
Portland
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Bedford
75.0%
New Bedford +
Portland
55.0%
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.0 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
Portland
26.5 min
Portland +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.2 min | 26.5 min | Portland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $88,792, 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 355 in Portland. Portland has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and New Bedford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.5%.
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