CityCompare

New Bedford MA vs West Palm Beach FL — 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%

West Palm Beach, FL

Florida · Population: 119,508

  • Median HH Income$69,261
  • Median Home Price$399,650
  • Unemployment5.4%
  • Bachelor's+37.6%

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population
New Bedford
100,731
West Palm Beach
119,508
West Palm Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Bedford
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
Median Age
New Bedford
37.0
New Bedford +
West Palm Beach
40.2
Foreign Born
New Bedford
20.7%
West Palm Beach
27.2%
West Palm Beach +
White
New Bedford
57.5%
New Bedford +
West Palm Beach
44.0%
Black
New Bedford
6.0%
West Palm Beach
31.5%
West Palm Beach +
Asian
New Bedford
1.5%
West Palm Beach
2.5%
West Palm Beach +
Hispanic
New Bedford
24.5%
West Palm Beach
24.6%
West Palm Beach +
Spanish at Home
New Bedford
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
New Bedford
$56,025
West Palm Beach
$69,261
West Palm Beach +
Per Capita Income
New Bedford
$30,475
West Palm Beach
$44,508
West Palm Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Bedford
$85,405
New Bedford +
West Palm Beach
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
New Bedford
7.6%
West Palm Beach
5.4%
West Palm Beach +
Poverty Rate
New Bedford
19.9%
West Palm Beach
14.8%
West Palm Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Bedford
16.8%
West Palm Beach
37.6%
West Palm Beach +

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Bedford
$439,767
West Palm Beach
$399,650
West Palm Beach +
Homeownership Rate
New Bedford
40.0%
West Palm Beach
50.2%
West Palm Beach +

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Bedford
326
West Palm Beach
324
West Palm Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Bedford
1086
New Bedford +
West Palm Beach
1453

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
36.3%
West Palm Beach
29.1%
West Palm Beach +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
13.2%
New Bedford +
West Palm Beach
13.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Bedford
22.0%
West Palm Beach
16.4%
West Palm Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
11.1%
New Bedford +
West Palm Beach
16.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
16.0%
West Palm Beach
13.3%
West Palm Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
21.4%
West Palm Beach
13.0%
West Palm Beach +

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Bedford
51.8°F
New Bedford +
West Palm Beach
75.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Bedford
51.9 in
New Bedford +
West Palm Beach
62.3 in

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Bedford
7.2 µg/m³
West Palm Beach
7.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Bedford
75.0%
West Palm Beach
75.0%
Tie

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Bedford
27.2 min
West Palm Beach
25.0 min
West Palm Beach +

Which City is Right for You?

West Palm Beach leads in median household income at $69,261, while west Palm Beach offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $399,650. On public safety, West Palm Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in New Bedford. West Palm Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, and West Palm Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, West Palm Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.1%.

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About New Bedford & West Palm Beach

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