New Bedford MA vs Winston-Salem NC — 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%
Winston-Salem, NC
North Carolina · Population: 118,578
- Median HH Income$63,900
- Median Home Price$265,013
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+45.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
New Bedford
100,731
Winston-Salem
118,578
Winston-Salem +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Bedford
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Median Age
New Bedford
37.0
New Bedford +
Winston-Salem
37.5
Foreign Born
New Bedford
20.7%
New Bedford +
Winston-Salem
5.7%
White
New Bedford
57.5%
Winston-Salem
72.9%
Winston-Salem +
Black
New Bedford
6.0%
Winston-Salem
14.9%
Winston-Salem +
Asian
New Bedford
1.5%
New Bedford +
Winston-Salem
1.3%
Hispanic
New Bedford
24.5%
New Bedford +
Winston-Salem
8.9%
Spanish at Home
New Bedford
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,731 | 118,578 | Winston-Salem + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.0 | 37.5 | New Bedford + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 5.7% | New Bedford + |
| White | 57.5% | 72.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Black | 6.0% | 14.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 1.3% | New Bedford + |
| Hispanic | 24.5% | 8.9% | New Bedford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Bedford
$56,025
Winston-Salem
$63,900
Winston-Salem +
Per Capita Income
New Bedford
$30,475
Winston-Salem
$46,062
Winston-Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Bedford
$85,405
New Bedford +
Winston-Salem
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
New Bedford
7.6%
Winston-Salem
4.6%
Winston-Salem +
Poverty Rate
New Bedford
19.9%
Winston-Salem
16.3%
Winston-Salem +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Bedford
16.8%
Winston-Salem
45.8%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,025 | $63,900 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,475 | $46,062 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $59,120 | New Bedford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 4.6% | Winston-Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.9% | 16.3% | Winston-Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 16.8% | 45.8% | Winston-Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Bedford
$439,767
Winston-Salem
$265,013
Winston-Salem +
Homeownership Rate
New Bedford
40.0%
Winston-Salem
46.8%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $439,767 | $265,013 | Winston-Salem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.0% | 46.8% | Winston-Salem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Bedford
326
New Bedford +
Winston-Salem
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Bedford
1086
New Bedford +
Winston-Salem
1999
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 398 | New Bedford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1999 | New Bedford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
36.3%
New Bedford +
Winston-Salem
42.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
13.2%
Winston-Salem
13.1%
Winston-Salem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Bedford
22.0%
Winston-Salem
17.4%
Winston-Salem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
11.1%
New Bedford +
Winston-Salem
12.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
16.0%
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Winston-Salem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
21.4%
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 42.7% | New Bedford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 13.1% | Winston-Salem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.0% | 17.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 12.8% | New Bedford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 14.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.4% | 14.4% | Winston-Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Bedford
51.8°F
Winston-Salem
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Bedford
51.9 in
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Winston-Salem, NC | 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 +
Winston-Salem
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Bedford
75.0%
Winston-Salem
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | New Bedford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Bedford
27.2 min
Winston-Salem
20.0 min
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.2 min | 20.0 min | Winston-Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Winston-Salem leads in median household income at $63,900, while winston-Salem offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,013. On public safety, New Bedford is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Winston-Salem. Winston-Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, 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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