New Bedford MA vs Provo UT — 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%
Provo, UT
Utah · Population: 114,303
- Median HH Income$62,800
- Median Home Price$486,127
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+45.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
New Bedford
100,731
Provo
114,303
Provo +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Bedford
N/A
Provo
N/A
Median Age
New Bedford
37.0
Provo
23.7
Provo +
Foreign Born
New Bedford
20.7%
New Bedford +
Provo
12.2%
White
New Bedford
57.5%
Provo
78.6%
Provo +
Black
New Bedford
6.0%
New Bedford +
Provo
1.1%
Asian
New Bedford
1.5%
Provo
2.2%
Provo +
Hispanic
New Bedford
24.5%
New Bedford +
Provo
18.9%
Spanish at Home
New Bedford
N/A
Provo
N/A
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,731 | 114,303 | Provo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.0 | 23.7 | Provo + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 12.2% | New Bedford + |
| White | 57.5% | 78.6% | Provo + |
| Black | 6.0% | 1.1% | New Bedford + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 2.2% | Provo + |
| Hispanic | 24.5% | 18.9% | New Bedford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Bedford
$56,025
Provo
$62,800
Provo +
Per Capita Income
New Bedford
$30,475
New Bedford +
Provo
$26,755
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Bedford
$85,405
New Bedford +
Provo
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
New Bedford
7.6%
Provo
4.7%
Provo +
Poverty Rate
New Bedford
19.9%
New Bedford +
Provo
22.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
New Bedford
16.8%
Provo
45.0%
Provo +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,025 | $62,800 | Provo + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,475 | $26,755 | New Bedford + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $60,713 | New Bedford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 4.7% | Provo + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.9% | 22.3% | New Bedford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 16.8% | 45.0% | Provo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Bedford
$439,767
New Bedford +
Provo
$486,127
Homeownership Rate
New Bedford
40.0%
New Bedford +
Provo
39.9%
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $439,767 | $486,127 | New Bedford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.0% | 39.9% | New Bedford + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Bedford
326
Provo
245
Provo +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Bedford
1086
New Bedford +
Provo
1931
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 245 | Provo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1931 | New Bedford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
36.3%
Provo
30.7%
Provo +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
13.2%
Provo
6.1%
Provo +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Bedford
22.0%
Provo
21.5%
Provo +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
11.1%
New Bedford +
Provo
12.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
16.0%
Provo
8.7%
Provo +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
21.4%
Provo
7.0%
Provo +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 30.7% | Provo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 6.1% | Provo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.0% | 21.5% | Provo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 12.6% | New Bedford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 8.7% | Provo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.4% | 7.0% | Provo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Bedford
51.8°F
New Bedford +
Provo
53.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Bedford
51.9 in
Provo
19.8 in
Provo +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.8°F | 53.4°F | New Bedford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.9 in | 19.8 in | Provo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Bedford
7.2 µg/m³
Provo
7.0 µg/m³
Provo +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Bedford
75.0%
Provo
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Provo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Bedford
27.2 min
Provo
20.1 min
Provo +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.2 min | 20.1 min | Provo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Provo leads in median household income at $62,800, while new Bedford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $439,767. On public safety, Provo is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in New Bedford. Provo has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Provo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Provo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.7%.
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