New Bedford MA vs Tampa 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%
Tampa, FL
Florida · Population: 393,389
- Median HH Income$71,302
- Median Home Price$376,530
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+44.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
New Bedford
100,731
Tampa
393,389
Tampa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Bedford
N/A
Tampa
N/A
Median Age
New Bedford
37.0
Tampa
35.6
Tampa +
Foreign Born
New Bedford
20.7%
New Bedford +
Tampa
19.0%
White
New Bedford
57.5%
New Bedford +
Tampa
51.8%
Black
New Bedford
6.0%
Tampa
21.3%
Tampa +
Asian
New Bedford
1.5%
Tampa
4.8%
Tampa +
Hispanic
New Bedford
24.5%
Tampa
26.2%
Tampa +
Spanish at Home
New Bedford
N/A
Tampa
N/A
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,731 | 393,389 | Tampa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.0 | 35.6 | Tampa + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 19.0% | New Bedford + |
| White | 57.5% | 51.8% | New Bedford + |
| Black | 6.0% | 21.3% | Tampa + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 4.8% | Tampa + |
| Hispanic | 24.5% | 26.2% | Tampa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Bedford
$56,025
Tampa
$71,302
Tampa +
Per Capita Income
New Bedford
$30,475
Tampa
$49,513
Tampa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Bedford
$85,405
New Bedford +
Tampa
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
New Bedford
7.6%
Tampa
4.7%
Tampa +
Poverty Rate
New Bedford
19.9%
Tampa
15.9%
Tampa +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Bedford
16.8%
Tampa
44.6%
Tampa +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,025 | $71,302 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,475 | $49,513 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $65,328 | New Bedford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 4.7% | Tampa + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.9% | 15.9% | Tampa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 16.8% | 44.6% | Tampa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Bedford
$439,767
Tampa
$376,530
Tampa +
Homeownership Rate
New Bedford
40.0%
Tampa
50.2%
Tampa +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $439,767 | $376,530 | Tampa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.0% | 50.2% | Tampa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Bedford
326
Tampa
324
Tampa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Bedford
1086
New Bedford +
Tampa
1453
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 324 | Tampa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1453 | New Bedford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
36.3%
Tampa
31.9%
Tampa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
13.2%
Tampa
12.5%
Tampa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Bedford
22.0%
Tampa
17.4%
Tampa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
11.1%
New Bedford +
Tampa
15.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
16.0%
New Bedford +
Tampa
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
21.4%
Tampa
12.6%
Tampa +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 31.9% | Tampa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 12.5% | Tampa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.0% | 17.4% | Tampa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 15.9% | New Bedford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 16.7% | New Bedford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.4% | 12.6% | Tampa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Bedford
51.8°F
New Bedford +
Tampa
73.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Bedford
51.9 in
Tampa
46.3 in
Tampa +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.8°F | 73.4°F | New Bedford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.9 in | 46.3 in | Tampa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Bedford
7.2 µg/m³
Tampa
7.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Bedford
75.0%
Tampa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Tampa, 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
Tampa
26.8 min
Tampa +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.2 min | 26.8 min | Tampa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tampa leads in median household income at $71,302, while tampa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $376,530. On public safety, Tampa is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in New Bedford. Tampa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Tampa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tampa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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