New Bedford MA vs Spokane Valley WA — 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%
Spokane Valley, WA
Washington · Population: 105,460
- Median HH Income$70,722
- Median Home Price$414,734
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+24.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
New Bedford
100,731
Spokane Valley
105,460
Spokane Valley +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Bedford
N/A
Spokane Valley
N/A
Median Age
New Bedford
37.0
New Bedford +
Spokane Valley
37.6
Foreign Born
New Bedford
20.7%
New Bedford +
Spokane Valley
5.1%
White
New Bedford
57.5%
Spokane Valley
85.1%
Spokane Valley +
Black
New Bedford
6.0%
New Bedford +
Spokane Valley
1.4%
Asian
New Bedford
1.5%
Spokane Valley
1.7%
Spokane Valley +
Hispanic
New Bedford
24.5%
New Bedford +
Spokane Valley
7.5%
Spanish at Home
New Bedford
N/A
Spokane Valley
N/A
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,731 | 105,460 | Spokane Valley + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.0 | 37.6 | New Bedford + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 5.1% | New Bedford + |
| White | 57.5% | 85.1% | Spokane Valley + |
| Black | 6.0% | 1.4% | New Bedford + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 1.7% | Spokane Valley + |
| Hispanic | 24.5% | 7.5% | New Bedford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Bedford
$56,025
Spokane Valley
$70,722
Spokane Valley +
Per Capita Income
New Bedford
$30,475
Spokane Valley
$35,235
Spokane Valley +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Bedford
$85,405
New Bedford +
Spokane Valley
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
New Bedford
7.6%
Spokane Valley
5.9%
Spokane Valley +
Poverty Rate
New Bedford
19.9%
Spokane Valley
12.9%
Spokane Valley +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Bedford
16.8%
Spokane Valley
24.8%
Spokane Valley +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,025 | $70,722 | Spokane Valley + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,475 | $35,235 | Spokane Valley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $76,120 | New Bedford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 5.9% | Spokane Valley + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.9% | 12.9% | Spokane Valley + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 16.8% | 24.8% | Spokane Valley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Bedford
$439,767
Spokane Valley
$414,734
Spokane Valley +
Homeownership Rate
New Bedford
40.0%
Spokane Valley
57.5%
Spokane Valley +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $439,767 | $414,734 | Spokane Valley + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.0% | 57.5% | Spokane Valley + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Bedford
326
New Bedford +
Spokane Valley
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Bedford
1086
New Bedford +
Spokane Valley
3409
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 383 | New Bedford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 3409 | New Bedford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
36.3%
Spokane Valley
35.1%
Spokane Valley +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
13.2%
Spokane Valley
10.5%
Spokane Valley +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Bedford
22.0%
Spokane Valley
18.1%
Spokane Valley +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
11.1%
Spokane Valley
7.7%
Spokane Valley +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
16.0%
New Bedford +
Spokane Valley
17.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
21.4%
Spokane Valley
12.4%
Spokane Valley +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 35.1% | Spokane Valley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 10.5% | Spokane Valley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.0% | 18.1% | Spokane Valley + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 7.7% | Spokane Valley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 17.2% | New Bedford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.4% | 12.4% | Spokane Valley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Bedford
51.8°F
Spokane Valley
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Bedford
51.9 in
Spokane Valley
N/A
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Spokane Valley, WA | 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 +
Spokane Valley
7.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Bedford
75.0%
Spokane Valley
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | New Bedford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Bedford
27.2 min
Spokane Valley
22.4 min
Spokane Valley +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.2 min | 22.4 min | Spokane Valley + |
Which City is Right for You?
Spokane Valley leads in median household income at $70,722, while spokane Valley offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $414,734. On public safety, New Bedford is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Spokane Valley. Spokane Valley has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and New Bedford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Spokane Valley scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.1%.
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