New Bedford MA vs Stamford CT — 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%
Stamford, CT
Connecticut · Population: 135,806
- Median HH Income$107,474
- Median Home Price$708,498
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
New Bedford
100,731
Stamford
135,806
Stamford +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Bedford
N/A
Stamford
N/A
Median Age
New Bedford
37.0
New Bedford +
Stamford
38.2
Foreign Born
New Bedford
20.7%
Stamford
31.8%
Stamford +
White
New Bedford
57.5%
New Bedford +
Stamford
49.1%
Black
New Bedford
6.0%
Stamford
19.9%
Stamford +
Asian
New Bedford
1.5%
Stamford
7.1%
Stamford +
Hispanic
New Bedford
24.5%
Stamford
28.1%
Stamford +
Spanish at Home
New Bedford
N/A
Stamford
N/A
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,731 | 135,806 | Stamford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.0 | 38.2 | New Bedford + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 31.8% | Stamford + |
| White | 57.5% | 49.1% | New Bedford + |
| Black | 6.0% | 19.9% | Stamford + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 7.1% | Stamford + |
| Hispanic | 24.5% | 28.1% | Stamford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Bedford
$56,025
Stamford
$107,474
Stamford +
Per Capita Income
New Bedford
$30,475
Stamford
$64,382
Stamford +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Bedford
$85,405
New Bedford +
Stamford
$85,393
Unemployment Rate
New Bedford
7.6%
Stamford
4.9%
Stamford +
Poverty Rate
New Bedford
19.9%
Stamford
9.5%
Stamford +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Bedford
16.8%
Stamford
51.7%
Stamford +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,025 | $107,474 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,475 | $64,382 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $85,393 | New Bedford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 4.9% | Stamford + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.9% | 9.5% | Stamford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 16.8% | 51.7% | Stamford + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Bedford
$439,767
New Bedford +
Stamford
$708,498
Homeownership Rate
New Bedford
40.0%
Stamford
47.5%
Stamford +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $439,767 | $708,498 | New Bedford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.0% | 47.5% | Stamford + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Bedford
326
Stamford
156
Stamford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Bedford
1086
New Bedford +
Stamford
1524
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 156 | Stamford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1524 | New Bedford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
36.3%
Stamford
25.5%
Stamford +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
13.2%
Stamford
8.6%
Stamford +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Bedford
22.0%
Stamford
14.4%
Stamford +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
11.1%
New Bedford +
Stamford
12.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
16.0%
New Bedford +
Stamford
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
21.4%
Stamford
8.7%
Stamford +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 25.5% | Stamford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 8.6% | Stamford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.0% | 14.4% | Stamford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 12.3% | New Bedford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 16.4% | New Bedford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.4% | 8.7% | Stamford + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Bedford
51.8°F
New Bedford +
Stamford
52.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Bedford
51.9 in
New Bedford +
Stamford
53.2 in
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.8°F | 52.3°F | New Bedford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.9 in | 53.2 in | New Bedford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Bedford
7.2 µg/m³
New Bedford +
Stamford
7.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Bedford
75.0%
Stamford
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | New Bedford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Bedford
27.2 min
New Bedford +
Stamford
30.1 min
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.2 min | 30.1 min | New Bedford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Stamford leads in median household income at $107,474, while new Bedford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $439,767. On public safety, Stamford is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in New Bedford. Stamford has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and New Bedford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Stamford scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.5%.
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