New Bedford MA vs Vallejo 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%
Vallejo, CA
California · Population: 68,141
- Median HH Income$137,194
- Median Home Price$523,551
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+45.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
New Bedford
100,731
New Bedford +
Vallejo
68,141
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Bedford
N/A
Vallejo
N/A
Median Age
New Bedford
37.0
New Bedford +
Vallejo
42.1
Foreign Born
New Bedford
20.7%
Vallejo
46.9%
Vallejo +
White
New Bedford
57.5%
New Bedford +
Vallejo
17.9%
Black
New Bedford
6.0%
New Bedford +
Vallejo
5.3%
Asian
New Bedford
1.5%
Vallejo
55.9%
Vallejo +
Hispanic
New Bedford
24.5%
New Bedford +
Vallejo
19.3%
Spanish at Home
New Bedford
N/A
Vallejo
N/A
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,731 | 68,141 | New Bedford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.0 | 42.1 | New Bedford + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 46.9% | Vallejo + |
| White | 57.5% | 17.9% | New Bedford + |
| Black | 6.0% | 5.3% | New Bedford + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 55.9% | Vallejo + |
| Hispanic | 24.5% | 19.3% | New Bedford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Bedford
$56,025
Vallejo
$137,194
Vallejo +
Per Capita Income
New Bedford
$30,475
Vallejo
$56,020
Vallejo +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Bedford
$85,405
New Bedford +
Vallejo
$77,230
Unemployment Rate
New Bedford
7.6%
Vallejo
5.0%
Vallejo +
Poverty Rate
New Bedford
19.9%
Vallejo
7.0%
Vallejo +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Bedford
16.8%
Vallejo
45.3%
Vallejo +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,025 | $137,194 | Vallejo + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,475 | $56,020 | Vallejo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $77,230 | New Bedford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 5.0% | Vallejo + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.9% | 7.0% | Vallejo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 16.8% | 45.3% | Vallejo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Bedford
$439,767
New Bedford +
Vallejo
$523,551
Homeownership Rate
New Bedford
40.0%
Vallejo
67.0%
Vallejo +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $439,767 | $523,551 | New Bedford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.0% | 67.0% | Vallejo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Bedford
326
New Bedford +
Vallejo
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Bedford
1086
New Bedford +
Vallejo
2388
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Vallejo, 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%
Vallejo
31.6%
Vallejo +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
13.2%
New Bedford +
Vallejo
13.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Bedford
22.0%
Vallejo
16.9%
Vallejo +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
11.1%
Vallejo
9.6%
Vallejo +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
16.0%
Vallejo
13.8%
Vallejo +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
21.4%
Vallejo
12.0%
Vallejo +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 31.6% | Vallejo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 13.3% | New Bedford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.0% | 16.9% | Vallejo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 9.6% | Vallejo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 13.8% | Vallejo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.4% | 12.0% | Vallejo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Bedford
51.8°F
Vallejo
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Bedford
51.9 in
Vallejo
N/A
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Vallejo, CA | 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 +
Vallejo
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Bedford
75.0%
Vallejo
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Vallejo, 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 +
Vallejo
36.0 min
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.2 min | 36.0 min | New Bedford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Vallejo leads in median household income at $137,194, 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 Vallejo. Vallejo has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and New Bedford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Vallejo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.6%.
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