New Bedford MA vs Virginia Beach VA — 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%
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia · Population: 457,066
- Median HH Income$90,685
- Median Home Price$427,121
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+40.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
New Bedford
100,731
Virginia Beach
457,066
Virginia Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Bedford
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Median Age
New Bedford
37.0
New Bedford +
Virginia Beach
37.4
Foreign Born
New Bedford
20.7%
New Bedford +
Virginia Beach
9.1%
White
New Bedford
57.5%
Virginia Beach
61.6%
Virginia Beach +
Black
New Bedford
6.0%
Virginia Beach
18.9%
Virginia Beach +
Asian
New Bedford
1.5%
Virginia Beach
7.2%
Virginia Beach +
Hispanic
New Bedford
24.5%
New Bedford +
Virginia Beach
8.9%
Spanish at Home
New Bedford
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,731 | 457,066 | Virginia Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.0 | 37.4 | New Bedford + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 9.1% | New Bedford + |
| White | 57.5% | 61.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Black | 6.0% | 18.9% | Virginia Beach + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 7.2% | Virginia Beach + |
| Hispanic | 24.5% | 8.9% | New Bedford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Bedford
$56,025
Virginia Beach
$90,685
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Income
New Bedford
$30,475
Virginia Beach
$47,372
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Bedford
$85,405
New Bedford +
Virginia Beach
$69,581
Unemployment Rate
New Bedford
7.6%
Virginia Beach
4.3%
Virginia Beach +
Poverty Rate
New Bedford
19.9%
Virginia Beach
8.4%
Virginia Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Bedford
16.8%
Virginia Beach
40.4%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,025 | $90,685 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,475 | $47,372 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $69,581 | New Bedford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 4.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.9% | 8.4% | Virginia Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 16.8% | 40.4% | Virginia Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Bedford
$439,767
Virginia Beach
$427,121
Virginia Beach +
Homeownership Rate
New Bedford
40.0%
Virginia Beach
64.9%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $439,767 | $427,121 | Virginia Beach + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.0% | 64.9% | Virginia Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Bedford
326
Virginia Beach
240
Virginia Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Bedford
1086
New Bedford +
Virginia Beach
1726
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 240 | Virginia Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1726 | New Bedford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
36.3%
New Bedford +
Virginia Beach
36.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
13.2%
Virginia Beach
11.8%
Virginia Beach +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Bedford
22.0%
Virginia Beach
16.7%
Virginia Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
11.1%
Virginia Beach
8.3%
Virginia Beach +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
16.0%
Virginia Beach
15.6%
Virginia Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
21.4%
Virginia Beach
12.1%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 36.5% | New Bedford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 11.8% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.0% | 16.7% | Virginia Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 8.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 15.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.4% | 12.1% | Virginia Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Bedford
51.8°F
Virginia Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Bedford
51.9 in
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Virginia Beach, VA | 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 +
Virginia Beach
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Bedford
75.0%
Virginia Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | New Bedford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Bedford
27.2 min
Virginia Beach
25.0 min
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.2 min | 25.0 min | Virginia Beach + |
Which City is Right for You?
Virginia Beach leads in median household income at $90,685, while virginia Beach offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $427,121. On public safety, Virginia Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in New Bedford. Virginia Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, 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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