New Bedford MA vs Rochester MN — 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%
Rochester, MN
Minnesota · Population: 26,509
- Median HH Income$127,247
- Median Home Price$344,633
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+50.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
New Bedford
100,731
New Bedford +
Rochester
26,509
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Bedford
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
New Bedford
37.0
New Bedford +
Rochester
38.7
Foreign Born
New Bedford
20.7%
New Bedford +
Rochester
7.1%
White
New Bedford
57.5%
Rochester
82.9%
Rochester +
Black
New Bedford
6.0%
New Bedford +
Rochester
3.6%
Asian
New Bedford
1.5%
Rochester
5.2%
Rochester +
Hispanic
New Bedford
24.5%
New Bedford +
Rochester
3.9%
Spanish at Home
New Bedford
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,731 | 26,509 | New Bedford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.0 | 38.7 | New Bedford + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 7.1% | New Bedford + |
| White | 57.5% | 82.9% | Rochester + |
| Black | 6.0% | 3.6% | New Bedford + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 5.2% | Rochester + |
| Hispanic | 24.5% | 3.9% | New Bedford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Bedford
$56,025
Rochester
$127,247
Rochester +
Per Capita Income
New Bedford
$30,475
Rochester
$57,602
Rochester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Bedford
$85,405
New Bedford +
Rochester
$69,467
Unemployment Rate
New Bedford
7.6%
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Poverty Rate
New Bedford
19.9%
Rochester
2.9%
Rochester +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Bedford
16.8%
Rochester
50.3%
Rochester +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,025 | $127,247 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,475 | $57,602 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $69,467 | New Bedford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 3.2% | Rochester + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.9% | 2.9% | Rochester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 16.8% | 50.3% | Rochester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Bedford
$439,767
Rochester
$344,633
Rochester +
Homeownership Rate
New Bedford
40.0%
Rochester
86.6%
Rochester +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $439,767 | $344,633 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.0% | 86.6% | Rochester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Bedford
326
Rochester
284
Rochester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Bedford
1086
New Bedford +
Rochester
1992
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 284 | Rochester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1992 | New Bedford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
36.3%
New Bedford +
Rochester
36.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
13.2%
Rochester
9.2%
Rochester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Bedford
22.0%
Rochester
14.3%
Rochester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
11.1%
Rochester
7.1%
Rochester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
16.0%
Rochester
16.0%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
21.4%
Rochester
11.4%
Rochester +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 36.4% | New Bedford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 9.2% | Rochester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.0% | 14.3% | Rochester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 7.1% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 16.0% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.4% | 11.4% | Rochester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Bedford
51.8°F
Rochester
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Bedford
51.9 in
Rochester
34.0 in
Rochester +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.8°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.9 in | 34.0 in | Rochester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Bedford
7.2 µg/m³
New Bedford +
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Bedford
75.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | New Bedford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Bedford
27.2 min
New Bedford +
Rochester
28.3 min
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.2 min | 28.3 min | New Bedford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rochester leads in median household income at $127,247, while rochester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $344,633. On public safety, Rochester is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in New Bedford. Rochester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and New Bedford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New Bedford scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.3%.
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