New Bedford MA vs Sandy UT — 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%
Sandy, UT
Utah · Population: 94,723
- Median HH Income$111,242
- Median Home Price$672,082
- Unemployment2.5%
- Bachelor's+45.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
New Bedford
100,731
New Bedford +
Sandy
94,723
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Bedford
N/A
Sandy
N/A
Median Age
New Bedford
37.0
Sandy
36.9
Sandy +
Foreign Born
New Bedford
20.7%
New Bedford +
Sandy
10.3%
White
New Bedford
57.5%
Sandy
81.8%
Sandy +
Black
New Bedford
6.0%
New Bedford +
Sandy
0.8%
Asian
New Bedford
1.5%
Sandy
3.5%
Sandy +
Hispanic
New Bedford
24.5%
New Bedford +
Sandy
11.3%
Spanish at Home
New Bedford
N/A
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,731 | 94,723 | New Bedford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.0 | 36.9 | Sandy + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 10.3% | New Bedford + |
| White | 57.5% | 81.8% | Sandy + |
| Black | 6.0% | 0.8% | New Bedford + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 3.5% | Sandy + |
| Hispanic | 24.5% | 11.3% | New Bedford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Bedford
$56,025
Sandy
$111,242
Sandy +
Per Capita Income
New Bedford
$30,475
Sandy
$50,592
Sandy +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Bedford
$85,405
New Bedford +
Sandy
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
New Bedford
7.6%
Sandy
2.5%
Sandy +
Poverty Rate
New Bedford
19.9%
Sandy
5.5%
Sandy +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Bedford
16.8%
Sandy
45.7%
Sandy +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,025 | $111,242 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,475 | $50,592 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $60,713 | New Bedford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 2.5% | Sandy + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.9% | 5.5% | Sandy + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 16.8% | 45.7% | Sandy + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Bedford
$439,767
New Bedford +
Sandy
$672,082
Homeownership Rate
New Bedford
40.0%
Sandy
75.9%
Sandy +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $439,767 | $672,082 | New Bedford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.0% | 75.9% | Sandy + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Bedford
326
Sandy
245
Sandy +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Bedford
1086
New Bedford +
Sandy
1931
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 245 | Sandy + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1931 | New Bedford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
36.3%
Sandy
28.5%
Sandy +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
13.2%
Sandy
8.4%
Sandy +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Bedford
22.0%
Sandy
16.5%
Sandy +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
11.1%
Sandy
8.7%
Sandy +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
16.0%
Sandy
15.2%
Sandy +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
21.4%
Sandy
7.4%
Sandy +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 28.5% | Sandy + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 8.4% | Sandy + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.0% | 16.5% | Sandy + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 8.7% | Sandy + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 15.2% | Sandy + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.4% | 7.4% | Sandy + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Bedford
51.8°F
Sandy
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Bedford
51.9 in
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Sandy, UT | 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
Sandy
7.0 µg/m³
Sandy +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Bedford
75.0%
Sandy
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Sandy + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Bedford
27.2 min
Sandy
24.6 min
Sandy +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.2 min | 24.6 min | Sandy + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy leads in median household income at $111,242, while new Bedford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $439,767. On public safety, Sandy is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in New Bedford. Sandy has a lower unemployment rate at 2.5%, and Sandy has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sandy scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.5%.
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