New Bedford MA vs Scottsdale AZ — 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%
Scottsdale, AZ
Arizona · Population: 242,169
- Median HH Income$107,372
- Median Home Price$858,307
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+61.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
New Bedford
100,731
Scottsdale
242,169
Scottsdale +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Bedford
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
Median Age
New Bedford
37.0
New Bedford +
Scottsdale
49.2
Foreign Born
New Bedford
20.7%
New Bedford +
Scottsdale
11.2%
White
New Bedford
57.5%
Scottsdale
81.8%
Scottsdale +
Black
New Bedford
6.0%
New Bedford +
Scottsdale
2.0%
Asian
New Bedford
1.5%
Scottsdale
5.1%
Scottsdale +
Hispanic
New Bedford
24.5%
New Bedford +
Scottsdale
9.4%
Spanish at Home
New Bedford
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,731 | 242,169 | Scottsdale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.0 | 49.2 | New Bedford + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 11.2% | New Bedford + |
| White | 57.5% | 81.8% | Scottsdale + |
| Black | 6.0% | 2.0% | New Bedford + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 5.1% | Scottsdale + |
| Hispanic | 24.5% | 9.4% | New Bedford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Bedford
$56,025
Scottsdale
$107,372
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Income
New Bedford
$30,475
Scottsdale
$82,697
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Bedford
$85,405
New Bedford +
Scottsdale
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
New Bedford
7.6%
Scottsdale
3.4%
Scottsdale +
Poverty Rate
New Bedford
19.9%
Scottsdale
7.1%
Scottsdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Bedford
16.8%
Scottsdale
61.5%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,025 | $107,372 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,475 | $82,697 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $59,120 | New Bedford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 3.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.9% | 7.1% | Scottsdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 16.8% | 61.5% | Scottsdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Bedford
$439,767
New Bedford +
Scottsdale
$858,307
Homeownership Rate
New Bedford
40.0%
Scottsdale
67.6%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $439,767 | $858,307 | New Bedford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.0% | 67.6% | Scottsdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Bedford
326
New Bedford +
Scottsdale
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Bedford
1086
New Bedford +
Scottsdale
2150
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 450 | New Bedford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 2150 | New Bedford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
36.3%
Scottsdale
26.2%
Scottsdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
13.2%
Scottsdale
9.4%
Scottsdale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Bedford
22.0%
Scottsdale
12.1%
Scottsdale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
11.1%
Scottsdale
6.3%
Scottsdale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
16.0%
Scottsdale
15.4%
Scottsdale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
21.4%
Scottsdale
7.4%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 26.2% | Scottsdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 9.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.0% | 12.1% | Scottsdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 6.3% | Scottsdale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 15.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.4% | 7.4% | Scottsdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Bedford
51.8°F
New Bedford +
Scottsdale
72.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Bedford
51.9 in
Scottsdale
10.3 in
Scottsdale +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.8°F | 72.5°F | New Bedford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.9 in | 10.3 in | Scottsdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Bedford
7.2 µg/m³
Scottsdale
7.1 µg/m³
Scottsdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Bedford
75.0%
Scottsdale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Scottsdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Bedford
27.2 min
Scottsdale
23.2 min
Scottsdale +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.2 min | 23.2 min | Scottsdale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Scottsdale leads in median household income at $107,372, 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 450 in Scottsdale. Scottsdale has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Scottsdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Scottsdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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