New Bedford MA vs Reno NV — 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%
Reno, NV
Nevada · Population: 268,959
- Median HH Income$78,448
- Median Home Price$570,934
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+35.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
New Bedford
100,731
Reno
268,959
Reno +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Bedford
N/A
Reno
N/A
Median Age
New Bedford
37.0
New Bedford +
Reno
37.3
Foreign Born
New Bedford
20.7%
New Bedford +
Reno
16.1%
White
New Bedford
57.5%
Reno
63.5%
Reno +
Black
New Bedford
6.0%
New Bedford +
Reno
3.2%
Asian
New Bedford
1.5%
Reno
7.0%
Reno +
Hispanic
New Bedford
24.5%
Reno
24.6%
Reno +
Spanish at Home
New Bedford
N/A
Reno
N/A
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,731 | 268,959 | Reno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.0 | 37.3 | New Bedford + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 16.1% | New Bedford + |
| White | 57.5% | 63.5% | Reno + |
| Black | 6.0% | 3.2% | New Bedford + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 7.0% | Reno + |
| Hispanic | 24.5% | 24.6% | Reno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Bedford
$56,025
Reno
$78,448
Reno +
Per Capita Income
New Bedford
$30,475
Reno
$45,180
Reno +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Bedford
$85,405
New Bedford +
Reno
$62,696
Unemployment Rate
New Bedford
7.6%
Reno
5.0%
Reno +
Poverty Rate
New Bedford
19.9%
Reno
12.5%
Reno +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Bedford
16.8%
Reno
35.7%
Reno +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,025 | $78,448 | Reno + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,475 | $45,180 | Reno + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $62,696 | New Bedford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 5.0% | Reno + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.9% | 12.5% | Reno + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 16.8% | 35.7% | Reno + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Bedford
$439,767
New Bedford +
Reno
$570,934
Homeownership Rate
New Bedford
40.0%
Reno
49.4%
Reno +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $439,767 | $570,934 | New Bedford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.0% | 49.4% | Reno + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Bedford
326
New Bedford +
Reno
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Bedford
1086
New Bedford +
Reno
2417
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 460 | New Bedford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 2417 | New Bedford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
36.3%
Reno
28.4%
Reno +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
13.2%
Reno
9.5%
Reno +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Bedford
22.0%
Reno
18.5%
Reno +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
11.1%
New Bedford +
Reno
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
16.0%
New Bedford +
Reno
18.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
21.4%
Reno
12.8%
Reno +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 28.4% | Reno + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 9.5% | Reno + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.0% | 18.5% | Reno + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 13.0% | New Bedford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 18.9% | New Bedford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.4% | 12.8% | Reno + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Bedford
51.8°F
New Bedford +
Reno
53.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Bedford
51.9 in
Reno
8.3 in
Reno +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.8°F | 53.0°F | New Bedford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.9 in | 8.3 in | Reno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Bedford
7.2 µg/m³
Reno
5.2 µg/m³
Reno +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Bedford
75.0%
Reno
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Reno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Bedford
27.2 min
Reno
22.3 min
Reno +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.2 min | 22.3 min | Reno + |
Which City is Right for You?
Reno leads in median household income at $78,448, 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 460 in Reno. Reno has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Reno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Reno scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.4%.
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