New Bedford MA vs Tucson AZ — 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%
Tucson, AZ
Arizona · Population: 543,348
- Median HH Income$54,546
- Median Home Price$324,946
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+30.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
New Bedford
100,731
Tucson
543,348
Tucson +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Bedford
N/A
Tucson
N/A
Median Age
New Bedford
37.0
Tucson
34.6
Tucson +
Foreign Born
New Bedford
20.7%
New Bedford +
Tucson
13.7%
White
New Bedford
57.5%
Tucson
58.2%
Tucson +
Black
New Bedford
6.0%
New Bedford +
Tucson
5.0%
Asian
New Bedford
1.5%
Tucson
3.1%
Tucson +
Hispanic
New Bedford
24.5%
Tucson
42.7%
Tucson +
Spanish at Home
New Bedford
N/A
Tucson
N/A
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,731 | 543,348 | Tucson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.0 | 34.6 | Tucson + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 13.7% | New Bedford + |
| White | 57.5% | 58.2% | Tucson + |
| Black | 6.0% | 5.0% | New Bedford + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 3.1% | Tucson + |
| Hispanic | 24.5% | 42.7% | Tucson + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Bedford
$56,025
New Bedford +
Tucson
$54,546
Per Capita Income
New Bedford
$30,475
Tucson
$31,152
Tucson +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Bedford
$85,405
New Bedford +
Tucson
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
New Bedford
7.6%
Tucson
6.4%
Tucson +
Poverty Rate
New Bedford
19.9%
Tucson
18.8%
Tucson +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Bedford
16.8%
Tucson
30.2%
Tucson +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,025 | $54,546 | New Bedford + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,475 | $31,152 | Tucson + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $59,120 | New Bedford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 6.4% | Tucson + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.9% | 18.8% | Tucson + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 16.8% | 30.2% | Tucson + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Bedford
$439,767
Tucson
$324,946
Tucson +
Homeownership Rate
New Bedford
40.0%
Tucson
51.7%
Tucson +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $439,767 | $324,946 | Tucson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.0% | 51.7% | Tucson + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Bedford
326
New Bedford +
Tucson
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Bedford
1086
New Bedford +
Tucson
2150
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 450 | New Bedford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 2150 | New Bedford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
36.3%
Tucson
33.5%
Tucson +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
13.2%
Tucson
11.5%
Tucson +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Bedford
22.0%
Tucson
18.3%
Tucson +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
11.1%
New Bedford +
Tucson
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
16.0%
Tucson
14.6%
Tucson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
21.4%
Tucson
12.5%
Tucson +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 33.5% | Tucson + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 11.5% | Tucson + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.0% | 18.3% | Tucson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 15.7% | New Bedford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 14.6% | Tucson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.4% | 12.5% | Tucson + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Bedford
51.8°F
New Bedford +
Tucson
69.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Bedford
51.9 in
Tucson
12.2 in
Tucson +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.8°F | 69.8°F | New Bedford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.9 in | 12.2 in | Tucson + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Bedford
7.2 µg/m³
Tucson
7.1 µg/m³
Tucson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Bedford
75.0%
Tucson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tucson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Bedford
27.2 min
Tucson
23.9 min
Tucson +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.2 min | 23.9 min | Tucson + |
Which City is Right for You?
New Bedford leads in median household income at $56,025, while tucson offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,946. On public safety, New Bedford is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Tucson. Tucson has a lower unemployment rate at 6.4%, and Tucson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tucson scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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