New Bedford MA vs Schenectady NY — 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%
Schenectady, NY
New York · Population: 28,542
- Median HH Income$100,485
- Median Home Price$321,835
- Unemployment2.3%
- Bachelor's+58.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
New Bedford
100,731
New Bedford +
Schenectady
28,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Bedford
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
Median Age
New Bedford
37.0
New Bedford +
Schenectady
42.3
Foreign Born
New Bedford
20.7%
New Bedford +
Schenectady
6.8%
White
New Bedford
57.5%
Schenectady
86.7%
Schenectady +
Black
New Bedford
6.0%
New Bedford +
Schenectady
3.1%
Asian
New Bedford
1.5%
Schenectady
3.0%
Schenectady +
Hispanic
New Bedford
24.5%
New Bedford +
Schenectady
4.7%
Spanish at Home
New Bedford
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,731 | 28,542 | New Bedford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.0 | 42.3 | New Bedford + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 6.8% | New Bedford + |
| White | 57.5% | 86.7% | Schenectady + |
| Black | 6.0% | 3.1% | New Bedford + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 3.0% | Schenectady + |
| Hispanic | 24.5% | 4.7% | New Bedford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Bedford
$56,025
Schenectady
$100,485
Schenectady +
Per Capita Income
New Bedford
$30,475
Schenectady
$62,931
Schenectady +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Bedford
$85,405
New Bedford +
Schenectady
$77,425
Unemployment Rate
New Bedford
7.6%
Schenectady
2.3%
Schenectady +
Poverty Rate
New Bedford
19.9%
Schenectady
10.3%
Schenectady +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Bedford
16.8%
Schenectady
58.8%
Schenectady +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,025 | $100,485 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,475 | $62,931 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $77,425 | New Bedford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 2.3% | Schenectady + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.9% | 10.3% | Schenectady + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 16.8% | 58.8% | Schenectady + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Bedford
$439,767
Schenectady
$321,835
Schenectady +
Homeownership Rate
New Bedford
40.0%
Schenectady
57.5%
Schenectady +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $439,767 | $321,835 | Schenectady + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.0% | 57.5% | Schenectady + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Bedford
326
New Bedford +
Schenectady
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Bedford
1086
New Bedford +
Schenectady
1736
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 434 | New Bedford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1736 | New Bedford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
36.3%
New Bedford +
Schenectady
38.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
13.2%
Schenectady
12.3%
Schenectady +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Bedford
22.0%
Schenectady
19.2%
Schenectady +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
11.1%
Schenectady
9.7%
Schenectady +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
16.0%
Schenectady
15.2%
Schenectady +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
21.4%
Schenectady
16.9%
Schenectady +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 38.6% | New Bedford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 12.3% | Schenectady + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.0% | 19.2% | Schenectady + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 9.7% | Schenectady + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 15.2% | Schenectady + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.4% | 16.9% | Schenectady + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Bedford
51.8°F
Schenectady
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Bedford
51.9 in
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Schenectady, NY | 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 +
Schenectady
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Bedford
75.0%
Schenectady
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Schenectady, NY | 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
Schenectady
26.2 min
Schenectady +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.2 min | 26.2 min | Schenectady + |
Which City is Right for You?
Schenectady leads in median household income at $100,485, while schenectady offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $321,835. On public safety, New Bedford is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Schenectady. Schenectady has a lower unemployment rate at 2.3%, 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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