New Bedford MA vs St. Charles MO — 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%
St. Charles, MO
Missouri · Population: 71,542
- Median HH Income$55,578
- Median Home Price$144,200
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+22.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
New Bedford
100,731
New Bedford +
St. Charles
71,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Bedford
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
Median Age
New Bedford
37.0
New Bedford +
St. Charles
37.9
Foreign Born
New Bedford
20.7%
New Bedford +
St. Charles
4.2%
White
New Bedford
57.5%
St. Charles
80.4%
St. Charles +
Black
New Bedford
6.0%
St. Charles
6.7%
St. Charles +
Asian
New Bedford
1.5%
New Bedford +
St. Charles
1.4%
Hispanic
New Bedford
24.5%
New Bedford +
St. Charles
7.7%
Spanish at Home
New Bedford
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,731 | 71,542 | New Bedford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.0 | 37.9 | New Bedford + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 4.2% | New Bedford + |
| White | 57.5% | 80.4% | St. Charles + |
| Black | 6.0% | 6.7% | St. Charles + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 1.4% | New Bedford + |
| Hispanic | 24.5% | 7.7% | New Bedford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Bedford
$56,025
New Bedford +
St. Charles
$55,578
Per Capita Income
New Bedford
$30,475
St. Charles
$31,499
St. Charles +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Bedford
$85,405
New Bedford +
St. Charles
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
New Bedford
7.6%
St. Charles
4.7%
St. Charles +
Poverty Rate
New Bedford
19.9%
St. Charles
18.7%
St. Charles +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Bedford
16.8%
St. Charles
22.7%
St. Charles +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,025 | $55,578 | New Bedford + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,475 | $31,499 | St. Charles + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $58,527 | New Bedford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 4.7% | St. Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.9% | 18.7% | St. Charles + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 16.8% | 22.7% | St. Charles + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Bedford
$439,767
St. Charles
$144,200
St. Charles +
Homeownership Rate
New Bedford
40.0%
St. Charles
61.4%
St. Charles +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $439,767 | $144,200 | St. Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.0% | 61.4% | St. Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Bedford
326
New Bedford +
St. Charles
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Bedford
1086
New Bedford +
St. Charles
2418
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 501 | New Bedford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 2418 | New Bedford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
36.3%
St. Charles
35.9%
St. Charles +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
13.2%
St. Charles
10.4%
St. Charles +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Bedford
22.0%
St. Charles
16.0%
St. Charles +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
11.1%
St. Charles
7.1%
St. Charles +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
16.0%
New Bedford +
St. Charles
18.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
21.4%
St. Charles
12.5%
St. Charles +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 35.9% | St. Charles + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 10.4% | St. Charles + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.0% | 16.0% | St. Charles + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 7.1% | St. Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 18.4% | New Bedford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.4% | 12.5% | St. Charles + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Bedford
51.8°F
St. Charles
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Bedford
51.9 in
St. Charles
N/A
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | St. Charles, MO | 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 +
St. Charles
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Bedford
75.0%
New Bedford +
St. Charles
55.0%
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | New Bedford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | New Bedford + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Bedford
27.2 min
St. Charles
18.3 min
St. Charles +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.2 min | 18.3 min | St. Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
New Bedford leads in median household income at $56,025, while st. Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $144,200. On public safety, New Bedford is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in St. Charles. St. Charles has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and New Bedford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, St. Charles scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
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