New Bedford MA vs Westland MI — 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%
Westland, MI
Michigan · Population: 84,155
- Median HH Income$62,216
- Median Home Price$215,089
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+21.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
New Bedford
100,731
New Bedford +
Westland
84,155
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Bedford
N/A
Westland
N/A
Median Age
New Bedford
37.0
New Bedford +
Westland
38.2
Foreign Born
New Bedford
20.7%
New Bedford +
Westland
9.2%
White
New Bedford
57.5%
Westland
63.7%
Westland +
Black
New Bedford
6.0%
Westland
22.6%
Westland +
Asian
New Bedford
1.5%
Westland
3.8%
Westland +
Hispanic
New Bedford
24.5%
New Bedford +
Westland
5.0%
Spanish at Home
New Bedford
N/A
Westland
N/A
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,731 | 84,155 | New Bedford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.0 | 38.2 | New Bedford + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 9.2% | New Bedford + |
| White | 57.5% | 63.7% | Westland + |
| Black | 6.0% | 22.6% | Westland + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 3.8% | Westland + |
| Hispanic | 24.5% | 5.0% | New Bedford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Bedford
$56,025
Westland
$62,216
Westland +
Per Capita Income
New Bedford
$30,475
Westland
$33,816
Westland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Bedford
$85,405
New Bedford +
Westland
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
New Bedford
7.6%
Westland
5.3%
Westland +
Poverty Rate
New Bedford
19.9%
Westland
13.3%
Westland +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Bedford
16.8%
Westland
21.7%
Westland +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,025 | $62,216 | Westland + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,475 | $33,816 | Westland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $58,052 | New Bedford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 5.3% | Westland + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.9% | 13.3% | Westland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 16.8% | 21.7% | Westland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Bedford
$439,767
Westland
$215,089
Westland +
Homeownership Rate
New Bedford
40.0%
Westland
61.1%
Westland +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $439,767 | $215,089 | Westland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.0% | 61.1% | Westland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Bedford
326
New Bedford +
Westland
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Bedford
1086
New Bedford +
Westland
1590
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 471 | New Bedford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1590 | New Bedford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
36.3%
Westland
34.7%
Westland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
13.2%
Westland
12.3%
Westland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Bedford
22.0%
Westland
20.0%
Westland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
11.1%
Westland
7.3%
Westland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
16.0%
Westland
15.6%
Westland +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
21.4%
Westland
16.6%
Westland +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 34.7% | Westland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 12.3% | Westland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.0% | 20.0% | Westland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 7.3% | Westland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 15.6% | Westland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.4% | 16.6% | Westland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Bedford
51.8°F
Westland
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Bedford
51.9 in
Westland
N/A
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Westland, MI | 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 +
Westland
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Bedford
75.0%
New Bedford +
Westland
55.0%
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 10.7 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
Westland
27.0 min
Westland +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.2 min | 27.0 min | Westland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Westland leads in median household income at $62,216, while westland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $215,089. On public safety, New Bedford is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Westland. Westland has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and New Bedford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Westland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.7%.
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