New Bedford MA vs Roswell GA — 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%
Roswell, GA
Georgia · Population: 92,577
- Median HH Income$124,422
- Median Home Price$662,209
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+64.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
New Bedford
100,731
New Bedford +
Roswell
92,577
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Bedford
N/A
Roswell
N/A
Median Age
New Bedford
37.0
New Bedford +
Roswell
40.0
Foreign Born
New Bedford
20.7%
New Bedford +
Roswell
18.7%
White
New Bedford
57.5%
Roswell
65.0%
Roswell +
Black
New Bedford
6.0%
Roswell
11.1%
Roswell +
Asian
New Bedford
1.5%
Roswell
4.5%
Roswell +
Hispanic
New Bedford
24.5%
New Bedford +
Roswell
16.8%
Spanish at Home
New Bedford
N/A
Roswell
N/A
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,731 | 92,577 | New Bedford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.0 | 40.0 | New Bedford + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 18.7% | New Bedford + |
| White | 57.5% | 65.0% | Roswell + |
| Black | 6.0% | 11.1% | Roswell + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 4.5% | Roswell + |
| Hispanic | 24.5% | 16.8% | New Bedford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Bedford
$56,025
Roswell
$124,422
Roswell +
Per Capita Income
New Bedford
$30,475
Roswell
$65,454
Roswell +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Bedford
$85,405
New Bedford +
Roswell
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
New Bedford
7.6%
Roswell
4.3%
Roswell +
Poverty Rate
New Bedford
19.9%
Roswell
7.4%
Roswell +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Bedford
16.8%
Roswell
64.8%
Roswell +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,025 | $124,422 | Roswell + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,475 | $65,454 | Roswell + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $57,405 | New Bedford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 4.3% | Roswell + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.9% | 7.4% | Roswell + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 16.8% | 64.8% | Roswell + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Bedford
$439,767
New Bedford +
Roswell
$662,209
Homeownership Rate
New Bedford
40.0%
Roswell
71.2%
Roswell +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $439,767 | $662,209 | New Bedford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.0% | 71.2% | Roswell + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Bedford
326
New Bedford +
Roswell
392
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Bedford
1086
New Bedford +
Roswell
1752
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 392 | New Bedford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1752 | New Bedford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
36.3%
Roswell
24.6%
Roswell +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
13.2%
Roswell
9.1%
Roswell +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Bedford
22.0%
Roswell
13.8%
Roswell +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
11.1%
Roswell
9.9%
Roswell +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
16.0%
New Bedford +
Roswell
17.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
21.4%
Roswell
8.3%
Roswell +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 24.6% | Roswell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 9.1% | Roswell + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.0% | 13.8% | Roswell + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 9.9% | Roswell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 17.4% | New Bedford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.4% | 8.3% | Roswell + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Bedford
51.8°F
Roswell
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Bedford
51.9 in
Roswell
N/A
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.8°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.9 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Bedford
7.2 µg/m³
New Bedford +
Roswell
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Bedford
75.0%
New Bedford +
Roswell
55.0%
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.8 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
New Bedford +
Roswell
29.6 min
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.2 min | 29.6 min | New Bedford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Roswell leads in median household income at $124,422, 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 392 in Roswell. Roswell has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and New Bedford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Roswell scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
Compare More Cities
New Bedford, MA vs New York, NYLos Angeles, CA vs New Bedford, MAChicago, IL vs New Bedford, MAHouston, TX vs New Bedford, MANew Bedford, MA vs Phoenix, AZNew Bedford, MA vs Philadelphia, PA