New Bedford MA vs Providence RI — 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%
Providence, RI
Rhode Island · Population: 190,214
- Median HH Income$66,772
- Median Home Price$429,449
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+34.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
New Bedford
100,731
Providence
190,214
Providence +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Bedford
N/A
Providence
N/A
Median Age
New Bedford
37.0
Providence
32.9
Providence +
Foreign Born
New Bedford
20.7%
Providence
32.8%
Providence +
White
New Bedford
57.5%
New Bedford +
Providence
40.7%
Black
New Bedford
6.0%
Providence
13.3%
Providence +
Asian
New Bedford
1.5%
Providence
5.9%
Providence +
Hispanic
New Bedford
24.5%
Providence
44.3%
Providence +
Spanish at Home
New Bedford
N/A
Providence
N/A
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,731 | 190,214 | Providence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.0 | 32.9 | Providence + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 32.8% | Providence + |
| White | 57.5% | 40.7% | New Bedford + |
| Black | 6.0% | 13.3% | Providence + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 5.9% | Providence + |
| Hispanic | 24.5% | 44.3% | Providence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Bedford
$56,025
Providence
$66,772
Providence +
Per Capita Income
New Bedford
$30,475
Providence
$36,694
Providence +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Bedford
$85,405
New Bedford +
Providence
$64,538
Unemployment Rate
New Bedford
7.6%
Providence
7.4%
Providence +
Poverty Rate
New Bedford
19.9%
New Bedford +
Providence
20.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
New Bedford
16.8%
Providence
34.7%
Providence +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,025 | $66,772 | Providence + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,475 | $36,694 | Providence + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $64,538 | New Bedford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 7.4% | Providence + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.9% | 20.1% | New Bedford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 16.8% | 34.7% | Providence + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Bedford
$439,767
Providence
$429,449
Providence +
Homeownership Rate
New Bedford
40.0%
Providence
41.2%
Providence +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $439,767 | $429,449 | Providence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.0% | 41.2% | Providence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Bedford
326
Providence
174
Providence +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Bedford
1086
New Bedford +
Providence
1303
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 174 | Providence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1303 | New Bedford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
36.3%
Providence
34.4%
Providence +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
13.2%
Providence
11.5%
Providence +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Bedford
22.0%
Providence
19.6%
Providence +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
11.1%
New Bedford +
Providence
14.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
16.0%
New Bedford +
Providence
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
21.4%
Providence
12.1%
Providence +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 34.4% | Providence + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 11.5% | Providence + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.0% | 19.6% | Providence + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 14.6% | New Bedford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 16.7% | New Bedford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.4% | 12.1% | Providence + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Bedford
51.8°F
Providence
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Bedford
51.9 in
Providence
N/A
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Providence, RI | 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
Providence
7.1 µg/m³
Providence +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Bedford
75.0%
Providence
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Providence + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Bedford
27.2 min
New Bedford +
Providence
27.4 min
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.2 min | 27.4 min | New Bedford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Providence leads in median household income at $66,772, while providence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $429,449. On public safety, Providence is safer with a violent crime rate of 174 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in New Bedford. Providence has a lower unemployment rate at 7.4%, and Providence has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Providence scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.4%.
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