New Bedford MA vs Utica NY — 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%
Utica, NY
New York · Population: 51,054
- Median HH Income$57,688
- Median Home Price$205,924
- Unemployment9.4%
- Bachelor's+36.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
New Bedford
100,731
New Bedford +
Utica
51,054
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Bedford
N/A
Utica
N/A
Median Age
New Bedford
37.0
Utica
33.0
Utica +
Foreign Born
New Bedford
20.7%
New Bedford +
Utica
9.7%
White
New Bedford
57.5%
Utica
64.8%
Utica +
Black
New Bedford
6.0%
Utica
16.9%
Utica +
Asian
New Bedford
1.5%
Utica
4.3%
Utica +
Hispanic
New Bedford
24.5%
New Bedford +
Utica
9.8%
Spanish at Home
New Bedford
N/A
Utica
N/A
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,731 | 51,054 | New Bedford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.0 | 33.0 | Utica + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 9.7% | New Bedford + |
| White | 57.5% | 64.8% | Utica + |
| Black | 6.0% | 16.9% | Utica + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 4.3% | Utica + |
| Hispanic | 24.5% | 9.8% | New Bedford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Bedford
$56,025
Utica
$57,688
Utica +
Per Capita Income
New Bedford
$30,475
Utica
$35,780
Utica +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Bedford
$85,405
New Bedford +
Utica
$77,425
Unemployment Rate
New Bedford
7.6%
New Bedford +
Utica
9.4%
Poverty Rate
New Bedford
19.9%
New Bedford +
Utica
23.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
New Bedford
16.8%
Utica
36.8%
Utica +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,025 | $57,688 | Utica + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,475 | $35,780 | Utica + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $77,425 | New Bedford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 9.4% | New Bedford + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.9% | 23.8% | New Bedford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 16.8% | 36.8% | Utica + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Bedford
$439,767
Utica
$205,924
Utica +
Homeownership Rate
New Bedford
40.0%
New Bedford +
Utica
36.8%
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $439,767 | $205,924 | Utica + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.0% | 36.8% | New Bedford + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Bedford
326
New Bedford +
Utica
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Bedford
1086
New Bedford +
Utica
1736
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 434 | New Bedford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1736 | New Bedford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
36.3%
New Bedford +
Utica
39.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
13.2%
New Bedford +
Utica
14.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Bedford
22.0%
Utica
19.4%
Utica +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
11.1%
Utica
11.1%
Tie
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
16.0%
Utica
15.2%
Utica +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
21.4%
Utica
18.7%
Utica +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 39.6% | New Bedford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 14.1% | New Bedford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.0% | 19.4% | Utica + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 11.1% | Tie |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 15.2% | Utica + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.4% | 18.7% | Utica + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Bedford
51.8°F
Utica
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Bedford
51.9 in
Utica
N/A
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.8°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.9 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Bedford
7.2 µg/m³
New Bedford +
Utica
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Bedford
75.0%
Utica
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | New Bedford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Bedford
27.2 min
Utica
22.7 min
Utica +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.2 min | 22.7 min | Utica + |
Which City is Right for You?
Utica leads in median household income at $57,688, while utica offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $205,924. On public safety, New Bedford is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Utica. 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%.
Compare More Cities
New Bedford, MA vs New York, NYLos Angeles, CA vs New Bedford, MAChicago, IL vs New Bedford, MAHouston, TX vs New Bedford, MANew Bedford, MA vs Phoenix, AZNew Bedford, MA vs Philadelphia, PA