New Bedford MA vs Springfield MA — 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%
Springfield, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 154,751
- Median HH Income$51,339
- Median Home Price$298,985
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+19.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
New Bedford
100,731
Springfield
154,751
Springfield +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Bedford
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
New Bedford
37.0
Springfield
33.7
Springfield +
Foreign Born
New Bedford
20.7%
New Bedford +
Springfield
10.2%
White
New Bedford
57.5%
New Bedford +
Springfield
40.8%
Black
New Bedford
6.0%
Springfield
20.0%
Springfield +
Asian
New Bedford
1.5%
Springfield
2.8%
Springfield +
Hispanic
New Bedford
24.5%
Springfield
47.4%
Springfield +
Spanish at Home
New Bedford
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,731 | 154,751 | Springfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.0 | 33.7 | Springfield + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 10.2% | New Bedford + |
| White | 57.5% | 40.8% | New Bedford + |
| Black | 6.0% | 20.0% | Springfield + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 2.8% | Springfield + |
| Hispanic | 24.5% | 47.4% | Springfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Bedford
$56,025
New Bedford +
Springfield
$51,339
Per Capita Income
New Bedford
$30,475
New Bedford +
Springfield
$27,054
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Bedford
$85,405
Springfield
$85,405
Tie
Unemployment Rate
New Bedford
7.6%
New Bedford +
Springfield
8.2%
Poverty Rate
New Bedford
19.9%
New Bedford +
Springfield
25.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
New Bedford
16.8%
Springfield
19.7%
Springfield +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,025 | $51,339 | New Bedford + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,475 | $27,054 | New Bedford + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $85,405 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 8.2% | New Bedford + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.9% | 25.3% | New Bedford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 16.8% | 19.7% | Springfield + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Bedford
$439,767
Springfield
$298,985
Springfield +
Homeownership Rate
New Bedford
40.0%
Springfield
49.5%
Springfield +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $439,767 | $298,985 | Springfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.0% | 49.5% | Springfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Bedford
326
Springfield
326
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Bedford
1086
Springfield
1086
Tie
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 326 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1086 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
36.3%
New Bedford +
Springfield
39.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
13.2%
New Bedford +
Springfield
14.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Bedford
22.0%
Springfield
21.1%
Springfield +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
11.1%
New Bedford +
Springfield
13.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
16.0%
Springfield
15.1%
Springfield +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
21.4%
Springfield
17.5%
Springfield +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 39.6% | New Bedford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 14.8% | New Bedford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.0% | 21.1% | Springfield + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 13.7% | New Bedford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 15.1% | Springfield + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.4% | 17.5% | Springfield + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Bedford
51.8°F
Springfield
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Bedford
51.9 in
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Springfield, MA | 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
Springfield
7.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Bedford
75.0%
Springfield
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Bedford
27.2 min
Springfield
22.6 min
Springfield +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.2 min | 22.6 min | Springfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
New Bedford leads in median household income at $56,025, while springfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $298,985. On public safety, Springfield is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in New Bedford. New Bedford has a lower unemployment rate at 7.6%, and Springfield 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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