New Bedford MA vs Tuscaloosa AL — 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%
Tuscaloosa, AL
Alabama · Population: 107,699
- Median HH Income$48,536
- Median Home Price$231,461
- Unemployment7.0%
- Bachelor's+38.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
New Bedford
100,731
Tuscaloosa
107,699
Tuscaloosa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Bedford
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
Median Age
New Bedford
37.0
Tuscaloosa
28.2
Tuscaloosa +
Foreign Born
New Bedford
20.7%
New Bedford +
Tuscaloosa
4.7%
White
New Bedford
57.5%
New Bedford +
Tuscaloosa
49.6%
Black
New Bedford
6.0%
Tuscaloosa
42.8%
Tuscaloosa +
Asian
New Bedford
1.5%
Tuscaloosa
2.6%
Tuscaloosa +
Hispanic
New Bedford
24.5%
New Bedford +
Tuscaloosa
5.2%
Spanish at Home
New Bedford
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,731 | 107,699 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.0 | 28.2 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 4.7% | New Bedford + |
| White | 57.5% | 49.6% | New Bedford + |
| Black | 6.0% | 42.8% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 2.6% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Hispanic | 24.5% | 5.2% | New Bedford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Bedford
$56,025
New Bedford +
Tuscaloosa
$48,536
Per Capita Income
New Bedford
$30,475
Tuscaloosa
$31,324
Tuscaloosa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Bedford
$85,405
New Bedford +
Tuscaloosa
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
New Bedford
7.6%
Tuscaloosa
7.0%
Tuscaloosa +
Poverty Rate
New Bedford
19.9%
New Bedford +
Tuscaloosa
23.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
New Bedford
16.8%
Tuscaloosa
38.1%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,025 | $48,536 | New Bedford + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,475 | $31,324 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $51,690 | New Bedford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 7.0% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.9% | 23.8% | New Bedford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 16.8% | 38.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Bedford
$439,767
Tuscaloosa
$231,461
Tuscaloosa +
Homeownership Rate
New Bedford
40.0%
Tuscaloosa
45.1%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $439,767 | $231,461 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.0% | 45.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Bedford
326
New Bedford +
Tuscaloosa
400
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Bedford
1086
New Bedford +
Tuscaloosa
1734
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 400 | New Bedford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1734 | New Bedford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
36.3%
New Bedford +
Tuscaloosa
42.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
13.2%
Tuscaloosa
12.0%
Tuscaloosa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Bedford
22.0%
Tuscaloosa
21.3%
Tuscaloosa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
11.1%
New Bedford +
Tuscaloosa
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
16.0%
Tuscaloosa
15.1%
Tuscaloosa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
21.4%
Tuscaloosa
14.7%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 42.6% | New Bedford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 12.0% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.0% | 21.3% | Tuscaloosa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 11.5% | New Bedford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 15.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.4% | 14.7% | Tuscaloosa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Bedford
51.8°F
New Bedford +
Tuscaloosa
65.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Bedford
51.9 in
New Bedford +
Tuscaloosa
55.0 in
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.8°F | 65.0°F | New Bedford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.9 in | 55.0 in | New Bedford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Bedford
7.2 µg/m³
New Bedford +
Tuscaloosa
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Bedford
75.0%
Tuscaloosa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | New Bedford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Bedford
27.2 min
Tuscaloosa
20.0 min
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.2 min | 20.0 min | Tuscaloosa + |
Which City is Right for You?
New Bedford leads in median household income at $56,025, while tuscaloosa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,461. On public safety, New Bedford is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Tuscaloosa. Tuscaloosa has a lower unemployment rate at 7.0%, 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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