New Bedford MA vs Syracuse NY — 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%
Syracuse, NY
New York · Population: 146,211
- Median HH Income$45,845
- Median Home Price$215,134
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+30.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
New Bedford
100,731
Syracuse
146,211
Syracuse +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Bedford
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
Median Age
New Bedford
37.0
Syracuse
31.9
Syracuse +
Foreign Born
New Bedford
20.7%
New Bedford +
Syracuse
12.1%
White
New Bedford
57.5%
New Bedford +
Syracuse
51.9%
Black
New Bedford
6.0%
Syracuse
27.6%
Syracuse +
Asian
New Bedford
1.5%
Syracuse
6.8%
Syracuse +
Hispanic
New Bedford
24.5%
New Bedford +
Syracuse
10.3%
Spanish at Home
New Bedford
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,731 | 146,211 | Syracuse + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.0 | 31.9 | Syracuse + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 12.1% | New Bedford + |
| White | 57.5% | 51.9% | New Bedford + |
| Black | 6.0% | 27.6% | Syracuse + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 6.8% | Syracuse + |
| Hispanic | 24.5% | 10.3% | New Bedford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Bedford
$56,025
New Bedford +
Syracuse
$45,845
Per Capita Income
New Bedford
$30,475
New Bedford +
Syracuse
$27,570
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Bedford
$85,405
New Bedford +
Syracuse
$77,425
Unemployment Rate
New Bedford
7.6%
Syracuse
7.4%
Syracuse +
Poverty Rate
New Bedford
19.9%
New Bedford +
Syracuse
29.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
New Bedford
16.8%
Syracuse
30.5%
Syracuse +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,025 | $45,845 | New Bedford + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,475 | $27,570 | New Bedford + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $77,425 | New Bedford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 7.4% | Syracuse + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.9% | 29.6% | New Bedford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 16.8% | 30.5% | Syracuse + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Bedford
$439,767
Syracuse
$215,134
Syracuse +
Homeownership Rate
New Bedford
40.0%
Syracuse
41.3%
Syracuse +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $439,767 | $215,134 | Syracuse + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.0% | 41.3% | Syracuse + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Bedford
326
New Bedford +
Syracuse
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Bedford
1086
New Bedford +
Syracuse
1736
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 434 | New Bedford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1736 | New Bedford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
36.3%
New Bedford +
Syracuse
41.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
13.2%
Syracuse
12.7%
Syracuse +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Bedford
22.0%
Syracuse
20.8%
Syracuse +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
11.1%
Syracuse
9.7%
Syracuse +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
16.0%
Syracuse
15.3%
Syracuse +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
21.4%
Syracuse
16.1%
Syracuse +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 41.5% | New Bedford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 12.7% | Syracuse + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.0% | 20.8% | Syracuse + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 9.7% | Syracuse + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 15.3% | Syracuse + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.4% | 16.1% | Syracuse + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Bedford
51.8°F
Syracuse
49.0°F
Syracuse +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Bedford
51.9 in
Syracuse
41.5 in
Syracuse +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.8°F | 49.0°F | Syracuse + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.9 in | 41.5 in | Syracuse + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Bedford
7.2 µg/m³
New Bedford +
Syracuse
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Bedford
75.0%
Syracuse
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | New Bedford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Bedford
27.2 min
Syracuse
19.3 min
Syracuse +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.2 min | 19.3 min | Syracuse + |
Which City is Right for You?
New Bedford leads in median household income at $56,025, while syracuse offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $215,134. On public safety, New Bedford is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Syracuse. Syracuse has a lower unemployment rate at 7.4%, and New Bedford 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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