New Bedford MA vs Renton WA — 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%
Renton, WA
Washington · Population: 75,721
- Median HH Income$162,099
- Median Home Price$765,686
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+74.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
New Bedford
100,731
New Bedford +
Renton
75,721
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Bedford
N/A
Renton
N/A
Median Age
New Bedford
37.0
Renton
35.0
Renton +
Foreign Born
New Bedford
20.7%
Renton
44.4%
Renton +
White
New Bedford
57.5%
New Bedford +
Renton
48.7%
Black
New Bedford
6.0%
New Bedford +
Renton
2.2%
Asian
New Bedford
1.5%
Renton
39.2%
Renton +
Hispanic
New Bedford
24.5%
New Bedford +
Renton
6.8%
Spanish at Home
New Bedford
N/A
Renton
N/A
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,731 | 75,721 | New Bedford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.0 | 35.0 | Renton + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 44.4% | Renton + |
| White | 57.5% | 48.7% | New Bedford + |
| Black | 6.0% | 2.2% | New Bedford + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 39.2% | Renton + |
| Hispanic | 24.5% | 6.8% | New Bedford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Bedford
$56,025
Renton
$162,099
Renton +
Per Capita Income
New Bedford
$30,475
Renton
$89,026
Renton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Bedford
$85,405
New Bedford +
Renton
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
New Bedford
7.6%
Renton
4.1%
Renton +
Poverty Rate
New Bedford
19.9%
Renton
5.8%
Renton +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Bedford
16.8%
Renton
74.7%
Renton +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,025 | $162,099 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,475 | $89,026 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $76,120 | New Bedford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 4.1% | Renton + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.9% | 5.8% | Renton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 16.8% | 74.7% | Renton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Bedford
$439,767
New Bedford +
Renton
$765,686
Homeownership Rate
New Bedford
40.0%
Renton
45.2%
Renton +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $439,767 | $765,686 | New Bedford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.0% | 45.2% | Renton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Bedford
326
New Bedford +
Renton
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Bedford
1086
New Bedford +
Renton
3409
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 383 | New Bedford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 3409 | New Bedford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
36.3%
Renton
24.0%
Renton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
13.2%
Renton
8.5%
Renton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Bedford
22.0%
Renton
16.0%
Renton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
11.1%
Renton
9.1%
Renton +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
16.0%
New Bedford +
Renton
16.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
21.4%
Renton
8.9%
Renton +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 24.0% | Renton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 8.5% | Renton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.0% | 16.0% | Renton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 9.1% | Renton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 16.1% | New Bedford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.4% | 8.9% | Renton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Bedford
51.8°F
New Bedford +
Renton
53.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Bedford
51.9 in
Renton
40.1 in
Renton +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.8°F | 53.2°F | New Bedford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.9 in | 40.1 in | Renton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Bedford
7.2 µg/m³
New Bedford +
Renton
7.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Bedford
75.0%
Renton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | New Bedford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Bedford
27.2 min
Renton
25.4 min
Renton +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.2 min | 25.4 min | Renton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Renton leads in median household income at $162,099, 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 383 in Renton. Renton has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and New Bedford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Renton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.0%.
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