New Bedford MA vs Toledo OH — 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%
Toledo, OH
Ohio · Population: 268,461
- Median HH Income$47,532
- Median Home Price$130,101
- Unemployment8.5%
- Bachelor's+21.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
New Bedford
100,731
Toledo
268,461
Toledo +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Bedford
N/A
Toledo
N/A
Median Age
New Bedford
37.0
Toledo
35.7
Toledo +
Foreign Born
New Bedford
20.7%
New Bedford +
Toledo
3.4%
White
New Bedford
57.5%
Toledo
58.7%
Toledo +
Black
New Bedford
6.0%
Toledo
28.7%
Toledo +
Asian
New Bedford
1.5%
New Bedford +
Toledo
1.4%
Hispanic
New Bedford
24.5%
New Bedford +
Toledo
8.9%
Spanish at Home
New Bedford
N/A
Toledo
N/A
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,731 | 268,461 | Toledo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.0 | 35.7 | Toledo + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 3.4% | New Bedford + |
| White | 57.5% | 58.7% | Toledo + |
| Black | 6.0% | 28.7% | Toledo + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 1.4% | New Bedford + |
| Hispanic | 24.5% | 8.9% | New Bedford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Bedford
$56,025
New Bedford +
Toledo
$47,532
Per Capita Income
New Bedford
$30,475
New Bedford +
Toledo
$27,407
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Bedford
$85,405
New Bedford +
Toledo
$58,300
Unemployment Rate
New Bedford
7.6%
New Bedford +
Toledo
8.5%
Poverty Rate
New Bedford
19.9%
New Bedford +
Toledo
24.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
New Bedford
16.8%
Toledo
21.0%
Toledo +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,025 | $47,532 | New Bedford + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,475 | $27,407 | New Bedford + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $58,300 | New Bedford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 8.5% | New Bedford + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.9% | 24.5% | New Bedford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 16.8% | 21.0% | Toledo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Bedford
$439,767
Toledo
$130,101
Toledo +
Homeownership Rate
New Bedford
40.0%
Toledo
52.7%
Toledo +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $439,767 | $130,101 | Toledo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.0% | 52.7% | Toledo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Bedford
326
Toledo
319
Toledo +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Bedford
1086
New Bedford +
Toledo
1866
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 319 | Toledo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1866 | New Bedford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
36.3%
New Bedford +
Toledo
39.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
13.2%
New Bedford +
Toledo
15.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Bedford
22.0%
Toledo
20.6%
Toledo +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
11.1%
New Bedford +
Toledo
11.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
16.0%
Toledo
14.9%
Toledo +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
21.4%
Toledo
19.9%
Toledo +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 39.3% | New Bedford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 15.7% | New Bedford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.0% | 20.6% | Toledo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 11.3% | New Bedford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 14.9% | Toledo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.4% | 19.9% | Toledo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Bedford
51.8°F
Toledo
50.6°F
Toledo +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Bedford
51.9 in
Toledo
33.4 in
Toledo +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.8°F | 50.6°F | Toledo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.9 in | 33.4 in | Toledo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Bedford
7.2 µg/m³
New Bedford +
Toledo
10.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Bedford
75.0%
New Bedford +
Toledo
55.0%
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 10.3 µg/m³ | New Bedford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | New Bedford + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Bedford
27.2 min
Toledo
21.3 min
Toledo +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.2 min | 21.3 min | Toledo + |
Which City is Right for You?
New Bedford leads in median household income at $56,025, while toledo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $130,101. On public safety, Toledo is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in New Bedford. New Bedford has a lower unemployment rate at 7.6%, 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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