New Bedford MA vs Wichita Falls 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%
Wichita Falls, TX
Texas · Population: 102,558
- Median HH Income$58,568
- Median Home Price$174,763
- Unemployment3.5%
- Bachelor's+25.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
New Bedford
100,731
Wichita Falls
102,558
Wichita Falls +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Bedford
N/A
Wichita Falls
N/A
Median Age
New Bedford
37.0
Wichita Falls
33.0
Wichita Falls +
Foreign Born
New Bedford
20.7%
New Bedford +
Wichita Falls
7.2%
White
New Bedford
57.5%
Wichita Falls
70.1%
Wichita Falls +
Black
New Bedford
6.0%
Wichita Falls
12.9%
Wichita Falls +
Asian
New Bedford
1.5%
Wichita Falls
2.7%
Wichita Falls +
Hispanic
New Bedford
24.5%
New Bedford +
Wichita Falls
22.4%
Spanish at Home
New Bedford
N/A
Wichita Falls
N/A
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,731 | 102,558 | Wichita Falls + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.0 | 33.0 | Wichita Falls + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 7.2% | New Bedford + |
| White | 57.5% | 70.1% | Wichita Falls + |
| Black | 6.0% | 12.9% | Wichita Falls + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 2.7% | Wichita Falls + |
| Hispanic | 24.5% | 22.4% | New Bedford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Bedford
$56,025
Wichita Falls
$58,568
Wichita Falls +
Per Capita Income
New Bedford
$30,475
Wichita Falls
$31,987
Wichita Falls +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Bedford
$85,405
New Bedford +
Wichita Falls
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
New Bedford
7.6%
Wichita Falls
3.5%
Wichita Falls +
Poverty Rate
New Bedford
19.9%
Wichita Falls
17.4%
Wichita Falls +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Bedford
16.8%
Wichita Falls
25.0%
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,025 | $58,568 | Wichita Falls + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,475 | $31,987 | Wichita Falls + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $63,758 | New Bedford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 3.5% | Wichita Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.9% | 17.4% | Wichita Falls + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 16.8% | 25.0% | Wichita Falls + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Bedford
$439,767
Wichita Falls
$174,763
Wichita Falls +
Homeownership Rate
New Bedford
40.0%
Wichita Falls
57.0%
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $439,767 | $174,763 | Wichita Falls + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.0% | 57.0% | Wichita Falls + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Bedford
326
New Bedford +
Wichita Falls
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Bedford
1086
New Bedford +
Wichita Falls
2339
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Wichita Falls, 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%
Wichita Falls
35.4%
Wichita Falls +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
13.2%
Wichita Falls
12.6%
Wichita Falls +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Bedford
22.0%
Wichita Falls
18.8%
Wichita Falls +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
11.1%
New Bedford +
Wichita Falls
16.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
16.0%
New Bedford +
Wichita Falls
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
21.4%
Wichita Falls
14.9%
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 35.4% | Wichita Falls + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 12.6% | Wichita Falls + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.0% | 18.8% | Wichita Falls + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 16.9% | New Bedford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 17.8% | New Bedford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.4% | 14.9% | Wichita Falls + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Bedford
51.8°F
New Bedford +
Wichita Falls
63.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Bedford
51.9 in
Wichita Falls
28.9 in
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.8°F | 63.4°F | New Bedford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.9 in | 28.9 in | Wichita Falls + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Bedford
7.2 µg/m³
New Bedford +
Wichita Falls
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Bedford
75.0%
New Bedford +
Wichita Falls
55.0%
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Wichita Falls, 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
Wichita Falls
15.8 min
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.2 min | 15.8 min | Wichita Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Wichita Falls leads in median household income at $58,568, while wichita Falls offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $174,763. On public safety, New Bedford is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Wichita Falls. Wichita Falls has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and New Bedford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Wichita Falls scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.4%.
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