New Bedford MA vs Tacoma WA — 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%
Tacoma, WA
Washington · Population: 220,482
- Median HH Income$83,857
- Median Home Price$496,966
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
New Bedford
100,731
Tacoma
220,482
Tacoma +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Bedford
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
Median Age
New Bedford
37.0
New Bedford +
Tacoma
37.3
Foreign Born
New Bedford
20.7%
New Bedford +
Tacoma
12.2%
White
New Bedford
57.5%
Tacoma
59.4%
Tacoma +
Black
New Bedford
6.0%
Tacoma
10.5%
Tacoma +
Asian
New Bedford
1.5%
Tacoma
8.8%
Tacoma +
Hispanic
New Bedford
24.5%
New Bedford +
Tacoma
13.1%
Spanish at Home
New Bedford
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,731 | 220,482 | Tacoma + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.0 | 37.3 | New Bedford + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 12.2% | New Bedford + |
| White | 57.5% | 59.4% | Tacoma + |
| Black | 6.0% | 10.5% | Tacoma + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 8.8% | Tacoma + |
| Hispanic | 24.5% | 13.1% | New Bedford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Bedford
$56,025
Tacoma
$83,857
Tacoma +
Per Capita Income
New Bedford
$30,475
Tacoma
$44,756
Tacoma +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Bedford
$85,405
New Bedford +
Tacoma
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
New Bedford
7.6%
Tacoma
5.3%
Tacoma +
Poverty Rate
New Bedford
19.9%
Tacoma
12.0%
Tacoma +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Bedford
16.8%
Tacoma
33.5%
Tacoma +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,025 | $83,857 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,475 | $44,756 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $76,120 | New Bedford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 5.3% | Tacoma + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.9% | 12.0% | Tacoma + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 16.8% | 33.5% | Tacoma + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Bedford
$439,767
New Bedford +
Tacoma
$496,966
Homeownership Rate
New Bedford
40.0%
Tacoma
56.5%
Tacoma +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $439,767 | $496,966 | New Bedford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.0% | 56.5% | Tacoma + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Bedford
326
New Bedford +
Tacoma
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Bedford
1086
New Bedford +
Tacoma
3409
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 383 | New Bedford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 3409 | New Bedford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
36.3%
New Bedford +
Tacoma
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
13.2%
Tacoma
10.9%
Tacoma +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Bedford
22.0%
Tacoma
18.7%
Tacoma +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
11.1%
Tacoma
9.3%
Tacoma +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
16.0%
New Bedford +
Tacoma
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
21.4%
Tacoma
11.9%
Tacoma +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 37.3% | New Bedford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 10.9% | Tacoma + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.0% | 18.7% | Tacoma + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 9.3% | Tacoma + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 16.8% | New Bedford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.4% | 11.9% | Tacoma + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Bedford
51.8°F
New Bedford +
Tacoma
53.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Bedford
51.9 in
Tacoma
39.2 in
Tacoma +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.8°F | 53.5°F | New Bedford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.9 in | 39.2 in | Tacoma + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Bedford
7.2 µg/m³
New Bedford +
Tacoma
7.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Bedford
75.0%
Tacoma
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.5 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 +
Tacoma
31.1 min
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.2 min | 31.1 min | New Bedford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tacoma leads in median household income at $83,857, 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 383 in Tacoma. Tacoma has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, 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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