New Bedford MA vs Spokane 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, WA
Washington · Population: 229,228
- Median HH Income$65,745
- Median Home Price$400,636
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+32.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
New Bedford
100,731
Spokane
229,228
Spokane +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Bedford
N/A
Spokane
N/A
Median Age
New Bedford
37.0
New Bedford +
Spokane
37.2
Foreign Born
New Bedford
20.7%
New Bedford +
Spokane
6.1%
White
New Bedford
57.5%
Spokane
81.0%
Spokane +
Black
New Bedford
6.0%
New Bedford +
Spokane
2.7%
Asian
New Bedford
1.5%
Spokane
2.9%
Spokane +
Hispanic
New Bedford
24.5%
New Bedford +
Spokane
7.8%
Spanish at Home
New Bedford
N/A
Spokane
N/A
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,731 | 229,228 | Spokane + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.0 | 37.2 | New Bedford + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 6.1% | New Bedford + |
| White | 57.5% | 81.0% | Spokane + |
| Black | 6.0% | 2.7% | New Bedford + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 2.9% | Spokane + |
| Hispanic | 24.5% | 7.8% | New Bedford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Bedford
$56,025
Spokane
$65,745
Spokane +
Per Capita Income
New Bedford
$30,475
Spokane
$38,200
Spokane +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Bedford
$85,405
New Bedford +
Spokane
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
New Bedford
7.6%
Spokane
6.0%
Spokane +
Poverty Rate
New Bedford
19.9%
Spokane
14.6%
Spokane +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Bedford
16.8%
Spokane
32.6%
Spokane +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,025 | $65,745 | Spokane + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,475 | $38,200 | Spokane + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $76,120 | New Bedford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 6.0% | Spokane + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.9% | 14.6% | Spokane + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 16.8% | 32.6% | Spokane + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Bedford
$439,767
Spokane
$400,636
Spokane +
Homeownership Rate
New Bedford
40.0%
Spokane
58.3%
Spokane +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $439,767 | $400,636 | Spokane + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.0% | 58.3% | Spokane + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Bedford
326
New Bedford +
Spokane
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Bedford
1086
New Bedford +
Spokane
3409
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Spokane, 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
35.3%
Spokane +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
13.2%
Spokane
10.3%
Spokane +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Bedford
22.0%
Spokane
18.6%
Spokane +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
11.1%
Spokane
8.2%
Spokane +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
16.0%
New Bedford +
Spokane
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
21.4%
Spokane
12.7%
Spokane +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 35.3% | Spokane + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 10.3% | Spokane + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.0% | 18.6% | Spokane + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 8.2% | Spokane + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 17.5% | New Bedford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.4% | 12.7% | Spokane + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Bedford
51.8°F
Spokane
46.1°F
Spokane +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Bedford
51.9 in
Spokane
17.1 in
Spokane +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.8°F | 46.1°F | Spokane + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.9 in | 17.1 in | Spokane + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Bedford
7.2 µg/m³
New Bedford +
Spokane
7.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Bedford
75.0%
Spokane
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Spokane, 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
22.6 min
Spokane +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.2 min | 22.6 min | Spokane + |
Which City is Right for You?
Spokane leads in median household income at $65,745, while spokane offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $400,636. On public safety, New Bedford is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Spokane. Spokane has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and New Bedford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Spokane scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.
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