New Bedford MA vs Wilmington DE — 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%
Wilmington, DE
Delaware · Population: 71,124
- Median HH Income$55,269
- Median Home Price$327,117
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+33.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
New Bedford
100,731
New Bedford +
Wilmington
71,124
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Bedford
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
New Bedford
37.0
Wilmington
37.0
Tie
Foreign Born
New Bedford
20.7%
New Bedford +
Wilmington
8.3%
White
New Bedford
57.5%
New Bedford +
Wilmington
32.4%
Black
New Bedford
6.0%
Wilmington
52.3%
Wilmington +
Asian
New Bedford
1.5%
Wilmington
1.6%
Wilmington +
Hispanic
New Bedford
24.5%
New Bedford +
Wilmington
11.8%
Spanish at Home
New Bedford
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,731 | 71,124 | New Bedford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.0 | 37.0 | Tie |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 8.3% | New Bedford + |
| White | 57.5% | 32.4% | New Bedford + |
| Black | 6.0% | 52.3% | Wilmington + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 1.6% | Wilmington + |
| Hispanic | 24.5% | 11.8% | New Bedford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Bedford
$56,025
New Bedford +
Wilmington
$55,269
Per Capita Income
New Bedford
$30,475
Wilmington
$38,786
Wilmington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Bedford
$85,405
New Bedford +
Wilmington
$64,087
Unemployment Rate
New Bedford
7.6%
New Bedford +
Wilmington
7.6%
Poverty Rate
New Bedford
19.9%
New Bedford +
Wilmington
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
New Bedford
16.8%
Wilmington
33.1%
Wilmington +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,025 | $55,269 | New Bedford + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,475 | $38,786 | Wilmington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $64,087 | New Bedford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 7.6% | New Bedford + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.9% | 23.2% | New Bedford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 16.8% | 33.1% | Wilmington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Bedford
$439,767
Wilmington
$327,117
Wilmington +
Homeownership Rate
New Bedford
40.0%
Wilmington
46.0%
Wilmington +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $439,767 | $327,117 | Wilmington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.0% | 46.0% | Wilmington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Bedford
326
New Bedford +
Wilmington
394
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Bedford
1086
New Bedford +
Wilmington
1991
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 394 | New Bedford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1991 | New Bedford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
36.3%
New Bedford +
Wilmington
41.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
13.2%
New Bedford +
Wilmington
16.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Bedford
22.0%
Wilmington
18.4%
Wilmington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
11.1%
New Bedford +
Wilmington
12.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
16.0%
Wilmington
13.5%
Wilmington +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
21.4%
Wilmington
16.4%
Wilmington +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 41.0% | New Bedford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 16.0% | New Bedford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.0% | 18.4% | Wilmington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 12.7% | New Bedford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 13.5% | Wilmington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.4% | 16.4% | Wilmington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Bedford
51.8°F
New Bedford +
Wilmington
54.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Bedford
51.9 in
Wilmington
49.3 in
Wilmington +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.8°F | 54.4°F | New Bedford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.9 in | 49.3 in | Wilmington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Bedford
7.2 µg/m³
New Bedford +
Wilmington
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Bedford
75.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | New Bedford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Bedford
27.2 min
Wilmington
25.0 min
Wilmington +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.2 min | 25.0 min | Wilmington + |
Which City is Right for You?
New Bedford leads in median household income at $56,025, while wilmington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $327,117. On public safety, New Bedford is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 394 in Wilmington. New Bedford has a lower unemployment rate at 7.6%, 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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