New Bedford MA vs Thornton CO — 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%
Thornton, CO
Colorado · Population: 142,878
- Median HH Income$100,985
- Median Home Price$505,085
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+32.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
New Bedford
100,731
Thornton
142,878
Thornton +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Bedford
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
New Bedford
37.0
Thornton
34.3
Thornton +
Foreign Born
New Bedford
20.7%
New Bedford +
Thornton
14.5%
White
New Bedford
57.5%
Thornton
63.5%
Thornton +
Black
New Bedford
6.0%
New Bedford +
Thornton
2.2%
Asian
New Bedford
1.5%
Thornton
5.8%
Thornton +
Hispanic
New Bedford
24.5%
Thornton
37.4%
Thornton +
Spanish at Home
New Bedford
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,731 | 142,878 | Thornton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.0 | 34.3 | Thornton + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 14.5% | New Bedford + |
| White | 57.5% | 63.5% | Thornton + |
| Black | 6.0% | 2.2% | New Bedford + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 5.8% | Thornton + |
| Hispanic | 24.5% | 37.4% | Thornton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Bedford
$56,025
Thornton
$100,985
Thornton +
Per Capita Income
New Bedford
$30,475
Thornton
$41,869
Thornton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Bedford
$85,405
New Bedford +
Thornton
$76,653
Unemployment Rate
New Bedford
7.6%
Thornton
4.6%
Thornton +
Poverty Rate
New Bedford
19.9%
Thornton
7.3%
Thornton +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Bedford
16.8%
Thornton
32.2%
Thornton +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,025 | $100,985 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,475 | $41,869 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $76,653 | New Bedford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 4.6% | Thornton + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.9% | 7.3% | Thornton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 16.8% | 32.2% | Thornton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Bedford
$439,767
New Bedford +
Thornton
$505,085
Homeownership Rate
New Bedford
40.0%
Thornton
73.1%
Thornton +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $439,767 | $505,085 | New Bedford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.0% | 73.1% | Thornton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Bedford
326
New Bedford +
Thornton
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Bedford
1086
New Bedford +
Thornton
3234
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 512 | New Bedford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 3234 | New Bedford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
36.3%
Thornton
31.8%
Thornton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
13.2%
Thornton
8.8%
Thornton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Bedford
22.0%
Thornton
17.0%
Thornton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
11.1%
New Bedford +
Thornton
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
16.0%
New Bedford +
Thornton
17.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
21.4%
Thornton
12.6%
Thornton +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 31.8% | Thornton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 8.8% | Thornton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.0% | 17.0% | Thornton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 15.2% | New Bedford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 17.4% | New Bedford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.4% | 12.6% | Thornton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Bedford
51.8°F
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Bedford
51.9 in
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.8°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.9 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Bedford
7.2 µg/m³
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Bedford
75.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Thornton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Bedford
27.2 min
New Bedford +
Thornton
32.8 min
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.2 min | 32.8 min | New Bedford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Thornton leads in median household income at $100,985, 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 512 in Thornton. Thornton has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Thornton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Thornton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.8%.
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