New Bedford MA vs Sugar Land TX — 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%
Sugar Land, TX
Texas · Population: 109,735
- Median HH Income$137,511
- Median Home Price$449,058
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+62.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
New Bedford
100,731
Sugar Land
109,735
Sugar Land +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Bedford
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
Median Age
New Bedford
37.0
New Bedford +
Sugar Land
42.5
Foreign Born
New Bedford
20.7%
Sugar Land
35.3%
Sugar Land +
White
New Bedford
57.5%
New Bedford +
Sugar Land
40.6%
Black
New Bedford
6.0%
Sugar Land
7.7%
Sugar Land +
Asian
New Bedford
1.5%
Sugar Land
39.5%
Sugar Land +
Hispanic
New Bedford
24.5%
New Bedford +
Sugar Land
12.3%
Spanish at Home
New Bedford
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,731 | 109,735 | Sugar Land + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.0 | 42.5 | New Bedford + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 35.3% | Sugar Land + |
| White | 57.5% | 40.6% | New Bedford + |
| Black | 6.0% | 7.7% | Sugar Land + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 39.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Hispanic | 24.5% | 12.3% | New Bedford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Bedford
$56,025
Sugar Land
$137,511
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Income
New Bedford
$30,475
Sugar Land
$60,258
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Bedford
$85,405
New Bedford +
Sugar Land
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
New Bedford
7.6%
Sugar Land
4.5%
Sugar Land +
Poverty Rate
New Bedford
19.9%
Sugar Land
5.1%
Sugar Land +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Bedford
16.8%
Sugar Land
62.4%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,025 | $137,511 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,475 | $60,258 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $63,758 | New Bedford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 4.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.9% | 5.1% | Sugar Land + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 16.8% | 62.4% | Sugar Land + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Bedford
$439,767
New Bedford +
Sugar Land
$449,058
Homeownership Rate
New Bedford
40.0%
Sugar Land
80.1%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $439,767 | $449,058 | New Bedford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.0% | 80.1% | Sugar Land + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Bedford
326
New Bedford +
Sugar Land
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Bedford
1086
New Bedford +
Sugar Land
2339
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 442 | New Bedford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 2339 | New Bedford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
36.3%
Sugar Land
24.8%
Sugar Land +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
13.2%
Sugar Land
12.2%
Sugar Land +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Bedford
22.0%
Sugar Land
12.2%
Sugar Land +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
11.1%
Sugar Land
8.5%
Sugar Land +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
16.0%
Sugar Land
13.6%
Sugar Land +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
21.4%
Sugar Land
8.2%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 24.8% | Sugar Land + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 12.2% | Sugar Land + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.0% | 12.2% | Sugar Land + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 8.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 13.6% | Sugar Land + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.4% | 8.2% | Sugar Land + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Bedford
51.8°F
New Bedford +
Sugar Land
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Bedford
51.9 in
Sugar Land
50.4 in
Sugar Land +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.8°F | 71.3°F | New Bedford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.9 in | 50.4 in | Sugar Land + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Bedford
7.2 µg/m³
New Bedford +
Sugar Land
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Bedford
75.0%
New Bedford +
Sugar Land
55.0%
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 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
New Bedford +
Sugar Land
31.6 min
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.2 min | 31.6 min | New Bedford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sugar Land leads in median household income at $137,511, while new Bedford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $439,767. On public safety, New Bedford is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Sugar Land. Sugar Land has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and New Bedford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sugar Land scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.8%.
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