New Bedford MA vs Torrance CA — 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%
Torrance, CA
California · Population: 95,358
- Median HH Income$118,253
- Median Home Price$1,128,110
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+26.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
New Bedford
100,731
New Bedford +
Torrance
95,358
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Bedford
N/A
Torrance
N/A
Median Age
New Bedford
37.0
Torrance
35.2
Torrance +
Foreign Born
New Bedford
20.7%
Torrance
28.7%
Torrance +
White
New Bedford
57.5%
New Bedford +
Torrance
34.8%
Black
New Bedford
6.0%
Torrance
6.1%
Torrance +
Asian
New Bedford
1.5%
Torrance
22.0%
Torrance +
Hispanic
New Bedford
24.5%
Torrance
41.4%
Torrance +
Spanish at Home
New Bedford
N/A
Torrance
N/A
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,731 | 95,358 | New Bedford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.0 | 35.2 | Torrance + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 28.7% | Torrance + |
| White | 57.5% | 34.8% | New Bedford + |
| Black | 6.0% | 6.1% | Torrance + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 22.0% | Torrance + |
| Hispanic | 24.5% | 41.4% | Torrance + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Bedford
$56,025
Torrance
$118,253
Torrance +
Per Capita Income
New Bedford
$30,475
Torrance
$42,884
Torrance +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Bedford
$85,405
New Bedford +
Torrance
$77,230
Unemployment Rate
New Bedford
7.6%
Torrance
5.9%
Torrance +
Poverty Rate
New Bedford
19.9%
Torrance
7.7%
Torrance +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Bedford
16.8%
Torrance
26.2%
Torrance +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,025 | $118,253 | Torrance + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,475 | $42,884 | Torrance + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $77,230 | New Bedford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 5.9% | Torrance + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.9% | 7.7% | Torrance + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 16.8% | 26.2% | Torrance + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Bedford
$439,767
New Bedford +
Torrance
$1,128,110
Homeownership Rate
New Bedford
40.0%
Torrance
64.0%
Torrance +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $439,767 | $1,128,110 | New Bedford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.0% | 64.0% | Torrance + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Bedford
326
New Bedford +
Torrance
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Bedford
1086
New Bedford +
Torrance
2388
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 503 | New Bedford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 2388 | New Bedford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
36.3%
Torrance
20.3%
Torrance +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
13.2%
Torrance
10.6%
Torrance +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Bedford
22.0%
Torrance
13.3%
Torrance +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
11.1%
Torrance
5.2%
Torrance +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
16.0%
Torrance
14.0%
Torrance +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
21.4%
Torrance
8.0%
Torrance +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 20.3% | Torrance + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 10.6% | Torrance + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.0% | 13.3% | Torrance + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 5.2% | Torrance + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 14.0% | Torrance + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.4% | 8.0% | Torrance + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Bedford
51.8°F
New Bedford +
Torrance
62.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Bedford
51.9 in
Torrance
14.5 in
Torrance +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.8°F | 62.6°F | New Bedford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.9 in | 14.5 in | Torrance + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Bedford
7.2 µg/m³
New Bedford +
Torrance
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Bedford
75.0%
Torrance
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | New Bedford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Bedford
27.2 min
New Bedford +
Torrance
44.9 min
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.2 min | 44.9 min | New Bedford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Torrance leads in median household income at $118,253, 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 503 in Torrance. Torrance has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and New Bedford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Torrance scores better with a lower obesity rate of 20.3%.
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