New Bedford MA vs Rockford IL — 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%
Rockford, IL
Illinois · Population: 147,649
- Median HH Income$53,328
- Median Home Price$180,220
- Unemployment8.6%
- Bachelor's+23.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
New Bedford
100,731
Rockford
147,649
Rockford +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Bedford
N/A
Rockford
N/A
Median Age
New Bedford
37.0
New Bedford +
Rockford
37.5
Foreign Born
New Bedford
20.7%
New Bedford +
Rockford
12.3%
White
New Bedford
57.5%
New Bedford +
Rockford
55.5%
Black
New Bedford
6.0%
Rockford
21.8%
Rockford +
Asian
New Bedford
1.5%
Rockford
3.7%
Rockford +
Hispanic
New Bedford
24.5%
New Bedford +
Rockford
20.6%
Spanish at Home
New Bedford
N/A
Rockford
N/A
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,731 | 147,649 | Rockford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.0 | 37.5 | New Bedford + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 12.3% | New Bedford + |
| White | 57.5% | 55.5% | New Bedford + |
| Black | 6.0% | 21.8% | Rockford + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 3.7% | Rockford + |
| Hispanic | 24.5% | 20.6% | New Bedford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Bedford
$56,025
New Bedford +
Rockford
$53,328
Per Capita Income
New Bedford
$30,475
New Bedford +
Rockford
$30,409
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Bedford
$85,405
New Bedford +
Rockford
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
New Bedford
7.6%
New Bedford +
Rockford
8.6%
Poverty Rate
New Bedford
19.9%
New Bedford +
Rockford
21.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
New Bedford
16.8%
Rockford
23.2%
Rockford +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,025 | $53,328 | New Bedford + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,475 | $30,409 | New Bedford + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $68,110 | New Bedford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 8.6% | New Bedford + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.9% | 21.9% | New Bedford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 16.8% | 23.2% | Rockford + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Bedford
$439,767
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Homeownership Rate
New Bedford
40.0%
Rockford
53.8%
Rockford +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $439,767 | $180,220 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.0% | 53.8% | Rockford + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Bedford
326
New Bedford +
Rockford
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Bedford
1086
New Bedford +
Rockford
1842
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 344 | New Bedford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1842 | New Bedford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
36.3%
New Bedford +
Rockford
44.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
13.2%
New Bedford +
Rockford
15.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Bedford
22.0%
Rockford
19.0%
Rockford +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
11.1%
New Bedford +
Rockford
14.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
16.0%
Rockford
15.5%
Rockford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
21.4%
Rockford
18.1%
Rockford +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 44.7% | New Bedford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 15.4% | New Bedford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.0% | 19.0% | Rockford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 14.0% | New Bedford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 15.5% | Rockford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.4% | 18.1% | Rockford + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Bedford
51.8°F
Rockford
49.2°F
Rockford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Bedford
51.9 in
Rockford
36.2 in
Rockford +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.8°F | 49.2°F | Rockford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.9 in | 36.2 in | Rockford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Bedford
7.2 µg/m³
New Bedford +
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Bedford
75.0%
New Bedford +
Rockford
55.0%
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | New Bedford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | New Bedford + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Bedford
27.2 min
Rockford
22.7 min
Rockford +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.2 min | 22.7 min | Rockford + |
Which City is Right for You?
New Bedford leads in median household income at $56,025, while rockford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $180,220. On public safety, New Bedford is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Rockford. New Bedford has a lower unemployment rate at 7.6%, 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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