New Bedford MA vs Tallahassee FL — 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%
Tallahassee, FL
Florida · Population: 199,696
- Median HH Income$55,931
- Median Home Price$293,664
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+51.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
New Bedford
100,731
Tallahassee
199,696
Tallahassee +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Bedford
N/A
Tallahassee
N/A
Median Age
New Bedford
37.0
Tallahassee
28.0
Tallahassee +
Foreign Born
New Bedford
20.7%
New Bedford +
Tallahassee
8.0%
White
New Bedford
57.5%
New Bedford +
Tallahassee
50.7%
Black
New Bedford
6.0%
Tallahassee
35.7%
Tallahassee +
Asian
New Bedford
1.5%
Tallahassee
4.0%
Tallahassee +
Hispanic
New Bedford
24.5%
New Bedford +
Tallahassee
8.6%
Spanish at Home
New Bedford
N/A
Tallahassee
N/A
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,731 | 199,696 | Tallahassee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.0 | 28.0 | Tallahassee + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 8.0% | New Bedford + |
| White | 57.5% | 50.7% | New Bedford + |
| Black | 6.0% | 35.7% | Tallahassee + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 4.0% | Tallahassee + |
| Hispanic | 24.5% | 8.6% | New Bedford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Bedford
$56,025
New Bedford +
Tallahassee
$55,931
Per Capita Income
New Bedford
$30,475
Tallahassee
$35,704
Tallahassee +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Bedford
$85,405
New Bedford +
Tallahassee
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
New Bedford
7.6%
Tallahassee
6.5%
Tallahassee +
Poverty Rate
New Bedford
19.9%
New Bedford +
Tallahassee
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
New Bedford
16.8%
Tallahassee
51.0%
Tallahassee +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,025 | $55,931 | New Bedford + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,475 | $35,704 | Tallahassee + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $65,328 | New Bedford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 6.5% | Tallahassee + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.9% | 23.2% | New Bedford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 16.8% | 51.0% | Tallahassee + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Bedford
$439,767
Tallahassee
$293,664
Tallahassee +
Homeownership Rate
New Bedford
40.0%
New Bedford +
Tallahassee
39.5%
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $439,767 | $293,664 | Tallahassee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.0% | 39.5% | New Bedford + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Bedford
326
Tallahassee
324
Tallahassee +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Bedford
1086
New Bedford +
Tallahassee
1453
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 324 | Tallahassee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1453 | New Bedford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
36.3%
Tallahassee
34.1%
Tallahassee +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
13.2%
Tallahassee
9.6%
Tallahassee +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Bedford
22.0%
Tallahassee
20.3%
Tallahassee +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
11.1%
New Bedford +
Tallahassee
13.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
16.0%
New Bedford +
Tallahassee
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
21.4%
Tallahassee
12.2%
Tallahassee +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 34.1% | Tallahassee + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 9.6% | Tallahassee + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.0% | 20.3% | Tallahassee + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 13.2% | New Bedford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 16.7% | New Bedford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.4% | 12.2% | Tallahassee + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Bedford
51.8°F
New Bedford +
Tallahassee
67.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Bedford
51.9 in
New Bedford +
Tallahassee
58.1 in
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.8°F | 67.6°F | New Bedford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.9 in | 58.1 in | New Bedford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Bedford
7.2 µg/m³
Tallahassee
7.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Bedford
75.0%
Tallahassee
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Bedford
27.2 min
Tallahassee
20.3 min
Tallahassee +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.2 min | 20.3 min | Tallahassee + |
Which City is Right for You?
New Bedford leads in median household income at $56,025, while tallahassee offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $293,664. On public safety, Tallahassee is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in New Bedford. Tallahassee has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, and Tallahassee has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tallahassee scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.1%.
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