New Bedford MA vs Rio Rancho NM — 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%
Rio Rancho, NM
New Mexico · Population: 47,823
- Median HH Income$50,294
- Median Home Price$362,476
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+19.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
New Bedford
100,731
New Bedford +
Rio Rancho
47,823
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Bedford
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
Median Age
New Bedford
37.0
Rio Rancho
36.8
Rio Rancho +
Foreign Born
New Bedford
20.7%
New Bedford +
Rio Rancho
11.6%
White
New Bedford
57.5%
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Rio Rancho +
Black
New Bedford
6.0%
New Bedford +
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Asian
New Bedford
1.5%
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Rio Rancho +
Hispanic
New Bedford
24.5%
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Spanish at Home
New Bedford
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,731 | 47,823 | New Bedford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.0 | 36.8 | Rio Rancho + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 11.6% | New Bedford + |
| White | 57.5% | 62.2% | Rio Rancho + |
| Black | 6.0% | 1.8% | New Bedford + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 1.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| Hispanic | 24.5% | 61.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Bedford
$56,025
New Bedford +
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Per Capita Income
New Bedford
$30,475
New Bedford +
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Bedford
$85,405
New Bedford +
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
New Bedford
7.6%
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Rio Rancho +
Poverty Rate
New Bedford
19.9%
New Bedford +
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
New Bedford
16.8%
Rio Rancho
19.6%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,025 | $50,294 | New Bedford + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,475 | $28,418 | New Bedford + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $53,141 | New Bedford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 5.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.9% | 24.2% | New Bedford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 16.8% | 19.6% | Rio Rancho + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Bedford
$439,767
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Rio Rancho +
Homeownership Rate
New Bedford
40.0%
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $439,767 | $362,476 | Rio Rancho + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.0% | 66.4% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Bedford
326
New Bedford +
Rio Rancho
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Bedford
1086
New Bedford +
Rio Rancho
3177
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 834 | New Bedford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 3177 | New Bedford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
36.3%
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Rio Rancho +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
13.2%
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Rio Rancho +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Bedford
22.0%
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
11.1%
New Bedford +
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
16.0%
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Rio Rancho +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
21.4%
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 31.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 10.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.0% | 15.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 11.5% | New Bedford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 15.0% | Rio Rancho + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.4% | 10.5% | Rio Rancho + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Bedford
51.8°F
New Bedford +
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Bedford
51.9 in
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.8°F | 55.7°F | New Bedford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.9 in | 12.3 in | Rio Rancho + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Bedford
7.2 µg/m³
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Bedford
75.0%
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Rio Rancho + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Bedford
27.2 min
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.2 min | 19.1 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
New Bedford leads in median household income at $56,025, while rio Rancho offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $362,476. On public safety, New Bedford is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. Rio Rancho has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Rio Rancho has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Rio Rancho scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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