New Bedford MA vs Waco TX — 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%
Waco, TX
Texas · Population: 141,925
- Median HH Income$51,468
- Median Home Price$196,465
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
New Bedford
100,731
Waco
141,925
Waco +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Bedford
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
New Bedford
37.0
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
New Bedford
20.7%
New Bedford +
Waco
9.8%
White
New Bedford
57.5%
New Bedford +
Waco
54.0%
Black
New Bedford
6.0%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
Asian
New Bedford
1.5%
Waco
2.0%
Waco +
Hispanic
New Bedford
24.5%
Waco
29.9%
Waco +
Spanish at Home
New Bedford
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,731 | 141,925 | Waco + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.0 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 9.8% | New Bedford + |
| White | 57.5% | 54.0% | New Bedford + |
| Black | 6.0% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 2.0% | Waco + |
| Hispanic | 24.5% | 29.9% | Waco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Bedford
$56,025
New Bedford +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
New Bedford
$30,475
New Bedford +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Bedford
$85,405
New Bedford +
Waco
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
New Bedford
7.6%
Waco
4.4%
Waco +
Poverty Rate
New Bedford
19.9%
New Bedford +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
New Bedford
16.8%
Waco
28.6%
Waco +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,025 | $51,468 | New Bedford + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,475 | $28,819 | New Bedford + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $63,758 | New Bedford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 4.4% | Waco + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.9% | 24.0% | New Bedford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 16.8% | 28.6% | Waco + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Bedford
$439,767
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
New Bedford
40.0%
Waco
48.9%
Waco +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $439,767 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.0% | 48.9% | Waco + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Bedford
326
New Bedford +
Waco
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Bedford
1086
New Bedford +
Waco
2339
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 442 | New Bedford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 2339 | New Bedford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
36.3%
New Bedford +
Waco
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
13.2%
Waco
13.0%
Waco +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Bedford
22.0%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
11.1%
New Bedford +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
16.0%
New Bedford +
Waco
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
21.4%
Waco
15.1%
Waco +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 36.8% | New Bedford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 13.0% | Waco + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.0% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 20.4% | New Bedford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 16.2% | New Bedford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.4% | 15.1% | Waco + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Bedford
51.8°F
New Bedford +
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Bedford
51.9 in
Waco
36.4 in
Waco +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.8°F | 66.6°F | New Bedford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.9 in | 36.4 in | Waco + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Bedford
7.2 µg/m³
New Bedford +
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Bedford
75.0%
New Bedford +
Waco
55.0%
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | New Bedford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | New Bedford + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Bedford
27.2 min
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.2 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
New Bedford leads in median household income at $56,025, while waco offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,465. On public safety, New Bedford is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Waco. Waco has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, 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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