New Bedford MA vs Vancouver WA — 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%
Vancouver, WA
Washington · Population: 192,696
- Median HH Income$78,156
- Median Home Price$510,577
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
New Bedford
100,731
Vancouver
192,696
Vancouver +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Bedford
N/A
Vancouver
N/A
Median Age
New Bedford
37.0
New Bedford +
Vancouver
37.5
Foreign Born
New Bedford
20.7%
New Bedford +
Vancouver
13.6%
White
New Bedford
57.5%
Vancouver
70.6%
Vancouver +
Black
New Bedford
6.0%
New Bedford +
Vancouver
3.1%
Asian
New Bedford
1.5%
Vancouver
5.3%
Vancouver +
Hispanic
New Bedford
24.5%
New Bedford +
Vancouver
17.2%
Spanish at Home
New Bedford
N/A
Vancouver
N/A
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,731 | 192,696 | Vancouver + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.0 | 37.5 | New Bedford + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 13.6% | New Bedford + |
| White | 57.5% | 70.6% | Vancouver + |
| Black | 6.0% | 3.1% | New Bedford + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 5.3% | Vancouver + |
| Hispanic | 24.5% | 17.2% | New Bedford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Bedford
$56,025
Vancouver
$78,156
Vancouver +
Per Capita Income
New Bedford
$30,475
Vancouver
$42,839
Vancouver +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Bedford
$85,405
New Bedford +
Vancouver
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
New Bedford
7.6%
Vancouver
5.6%
Vancouver +
Poverty Rate
New Bedford
19.9%
Vancouver
11.1%
Vancouver +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Bedford
16.8%
Vancouver
31.5%
Vancouver +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,025 | $78,156 | Vancouver + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,475 | $42,839 | Vancouver + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $76,120 | New Bedford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 5.6% | Vancouver + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.9% | 11.1% | Vancouver + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 16.8% | 31.5% | Vancouver + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Bedford
$439,767
New Bedford +
Vancouver
$510,577
Homeownership Rate
New Bedford
40.0%
Vancouver
49.9%
Vancouver +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $439,767 | $510,577 | New Bedford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.0% | 49.9% | Vancouver + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Bedford
326
New Bedford +
Vancouver
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Bedford
1086
New Bedford +
Vancouver
3409
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 383 | New Bedford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 3409 | New Bedford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
36.3%
Vancouver
36.2%
Vancouver +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
13.2%
Vancouver
9.9%
Vancouver +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Bedford
22.0%
Vancouver
19.1%
Vancouver +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
11.1%
Vancouver
9.4%
Vancouver +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
16.0%
New Bedford +
Vancouver
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
21.4%
Vancouver
11.7%
Vancouver +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 36.2% | Vancouver + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 9.9% | Vancouver + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.0% | 19.1% | Vancouver + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 9.4% | Vancouver + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 16.3% | New Bedford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.4% | 11.7% | Vancouver + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Bedford
51.8°F
New Bedford +
Vancouver
52.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Bedford
51.9 in
Vancouver
41.6 in
Vancouver +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.8°F | 52.1°F | New Bedford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.9 in | 41.6 in | Vancouver + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Bedford
7.2 µg/m³
New Bedford +
Vancouver
7.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Bedford
75.0%
Vancouver
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | New Bedford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Bedford
27.2 min
Vancouver
25.1 min
Vancouver +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.2 min | 25.1 min | Vancouver + |
Which City is Right for You?
Vancouver leads in median household income at $78,156, 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 383 in Vancouver. Vancouver has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, and New Bedford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Vancouver scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.2%.
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