New Bedford MA vs Sparks NV — 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%
Sparks, NV
Nevada · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$530,668
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
New Bedford
100,731
Sparks
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Bedford
N/A
Sparks
N/A
Median Age
New Bedford
37.0
Sparks
N/A
Foreign Born
New Bedford
20.7%
Sparks
N/A
White
New Bedford
57.5%
Sparks
N/A
Black
New Bedford
6.0%
Sparks
N/A
Asian
New Bedford
1.5%
Sparks
N/A
Hispanic
New Bedford
24.5%
Sparks
N/A
Spanish at Home
New Bedford
N/A
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,731 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.0 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | N/A | - |
| White | 57.5% | N/A | - |
| Black | 6.0% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 1.5% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 24.5% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Bedford
$56,025
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Income
New Bedford
$30,475
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Bedford
$85,405
New Bedford +
Sparks
$62,696
Unemployment Rate
New Bedford
7.6%
Sparks
N/A
Poverty Rate
New Bedford
19.9%
Sparks
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
New Bedford
16.8%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,025 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $30,475 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $62,696 | New Bedford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 19.9% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 16.8% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Bedford
$439,767
New Bedford +
Sparks
$530,668
Homeownership Rate
New Bedford
40.0%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $439,767 | $530,668 | New Bedford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.0% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Bedford
326
New Bedford +
Sparks
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Bedford
1086
New Bedford +
Sparks
2417
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 460 | New Bedford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 2417 | New Bedford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
36.3%
Sparks
28.6%
Sparks +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
13.2%
Sparks
9.8%
Sparks +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Bedford
22.0%
Sparks
18.1%
Sparks +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
11.1%
New Bedford +
Sparks
13.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
16.0%
New Bedford +
Sparks
18.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
21.4%
Sparks
12.9%
Sparks +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 28.6% | Sparks + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 9.8% | Sparks + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.0% | 18.1% | Sparks + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 13.8% | New Bedford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 18.7% | New Bedford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.4% | 12.9% | Sparks + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Bedford
51.8°F
New Bedford +
Sparks
52.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Bedford
51.9 in
Sparks
8.3 in
Sparks +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.8°F | 52.4°F | New Bedford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.9 in | 8.3 in | Sparks + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Bedford
7.2 µg/m³
Sparks
5.2 µg/m³
Sparks +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Bedford
75.0%
Sparks
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Sparks + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Bedford
27.2 min
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.2 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
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 460 in Sparks. Sparks has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sparks scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.6%.
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