New Bedford MA vs Topeka KS — 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%
Topeka, KS
Kansas · Population: 126,103
- Median HH Income$55,902
- Median Home Price$193,522
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+29.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
New Bedford
100,731
Topeka
126,103
Topeka +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Bedford
N/A
Topeka
N/A
Median Age
New Bedford
37.0
New Bedford +
Topeka
38.2
Foreign Born
New Bedford
20.7%
New Bedford +
Topeka
5.3%
White
New Bedford
57.5%
Topeka
71.0%
Topeka +
Black
New Bedford
6.0%
Topeka
9.7%
Topeka +
Asian
New Bedford
1.5%
Topeka
1.8%
Topeka +
Hispanic
New Bedford
24.5%
New Bedford +
Topeka
16.9%
Spanish at Home
New Bedford
N/A
Topeka
N/A
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,731 | 126,103 | Topeka + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.0 | 38.2 | New Bedford + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 5.3% | New Bedford + |
| White | 57.5% | 71.0% | Topeka + |
| Black | 6.0% | 9.7% | Topeka + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 1.8% | Topeka + |
| Hispanic | 24.5% | 16.9% | New Bedford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Bedford
$56,025
New Bedford +
Topeka
$55,902
Per Capita Income
New Bedford
$30,475
Topeka
$33,290
Topeka +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Bedford
$85,405
New Bedford +
Topeka
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
New Bedford
7.6%
Topeka
4.9%
Topeka +
Poverty Rate
New Bedford
19.9%
Topeka
15.6%
Topeka +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Bedford
16.8%
Topeka
29.1%
Topeka +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,025 | $55,902 | New Bedford + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,475 | $33,290 | Topeka + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $61,860 | New Bedford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 4.9% | Topeka + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.9% | 15.6% | Topeka + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 16.8% | 29.1% | Topeka + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Bedford
$439,767
Topeka
$193,522
Topeka +
Homeownership Rate
New Bedford
40.0%
Topeka
59.2%
Topeka +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $439,767 | $193,522 | Topeka + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.0% | 59.2% | Topeka + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Bedford
326
New Bedford +
Topeka
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Bedford
1086
New Bedford +
Topeka
2174
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 449 | New Bedford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 2174 | New Bedford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
36.3%
New Bedford +
Topeka
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
13.2%
Topeka
13.1%
Topeka +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Bedford
22.0%
Topeka
16.8%
Topeka +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
11.1%
New Bedford +
Topeka
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
16.0%
Topeka
14.5%
Topeka +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
21.4%
Topeka
16.9%
Topeka +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 39.7% | New Bedford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 13.1% | Topeka + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.0% | 16.8% | Topeka + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 11.4% | New Bedford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 14.5% | Topeka + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.4% | 16.9% | Topeka + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Bedford
51.8°F
New Bedford +
Topeka
54.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Bedford
51.9 in
Topeka
39.0 in
Topeka +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.8°F | 54.5°F | New Bedford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.9 in | 39.0 in | Topeka + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Bedford
7.2 µg/m³
New Bedford +
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Bedford
75.0%
Topeka
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | New Bedford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Bedford
27.2 min
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.2 min | 18.3 min | Topeka + |
Which City is Right for You?
New Bedford leads in median household income at $56,025, while topeka offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $193,522. On public safety, New Bedford is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Topeka. Topeka has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, 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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