New Bedford MA vs Stockton CA — 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%
Stockton, CA
California · Population: 320,470
- Median HH Income$76,851
- Median Home Price$431,297
- Unemployment8.0%
- Bachelor's+19.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
New Bedford
100,731
Stockton
320,470
Stockton +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Bedford
N/A
Stockton
N/A
Median Age
New Bedford
37.0
Stockton
33.7
Stockton +
Foreign Born
New Bedford
20.7%
Stockton
25.9%
Stockton +
White
New Bedford
57.5%
New Bedford +
Stockton
26.6%
Black
New Bedford
6.0%
Stockton
11.6%
Stockton +
Asian
New Bedford
1.5%
Stockton
21.1%
Stockton +
Hispanic
New Bedford
24.5%
Stockton
45.2%
Stockton +
Spanish at Home
New Bedford
N/A
Stockton
N/A
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,731 | 320,470 | Stockton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.0 | 33.7 | Stockton + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 25.9% | Stockton + |
| White | 57.5% | 26.6% | New Bedford + |
| Black | 6.0% | 11.6% | Stockton + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 21.1% | Stockton + |
| Hispanic | 24.5% | 45.2% | Stockton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Bedford
$56,025
Stockton
$76,851
Stockton +
Per Capita Income
New Bedford
$30,475
Stockton
$31,279
Stockton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Bedford
$85,405
New Bedford +
Stockton
$77,230
Unemployment Rate
New Bedford
7.6%
New Bedford +
Stockton
8.0%
Poverty Rate
New Bedford
19.9%
Stockton
15.4%
Stockton +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Bedford
16.8%
Stockton
19.1%
Stockton +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,025 | $76,851 | Stockton + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,475 | $31,279 | Stockton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $77,230 | New Bedford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 8.0% | New Bedford + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.9% | 15.4% | Stockton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 16.8% | 19.1% | Stockton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Bedford
$439,767
Stockton
$431,297
Stockton +
Homeownership Rate
New Bedford
40.0%
Stockton
53.2%
Stockton +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $439,767 | $431,297 | Stockton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.0% | 53.2% | Stockton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Bedford
326
New Bedford +
Stockton
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Bedford
1086
New Bedford +
Stockton
2388
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 503 | New Bedford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 2388 | New Bedford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
36.3%
Stockton
31.8%
Stockton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
13.2%
New Bedford +
Stockton
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Bedford
22.0%
Stockton
18.1%
Stockton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
11.1%
New Bedford +
Stockton
15.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
16.0%
Stockton
13.3%
Stockton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
21.4%
Stockton
13.8%
Stockton +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 31.8% | Stockton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 13.5% | New Bedford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.0% | 18.1% | Stockton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 15.0% | New Bedford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 13.3% | Stockton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.4% | 13.8% | Stockton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Bedford
51.8°F
New Bedford +
Stockton
62.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Bedford
51.9 in
Stockton
17.8 in
Stockton +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.8°F | 62.2°F | New Bedford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.9 in | 17.8 in | Stockton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Bedford
7.2 µg/m³
New Bedford +
Stockton
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Bedford
75.0%
Stockton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 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 +
Stockton
33.2 min
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.2 min | 33.2 min | New Bedford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Stockton leads in median household income at $76,851, while stockton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $431,297. On public safety, New Bedford is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Stockton. New Bedford has a lower unemployment rate at 7.6%, and New Bedford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Stockton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.8%.
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