New Bedford MA vs Worcester MA — 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%
Worcester, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 205,501
- Median HH Income$67,544
- Median Home Price$435,532
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+34.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
New Bedford
100,731
Worcester
205,501
Worcester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Bedford
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
New Bedford
37.0
Worcester
34.1
Worcester +
Foreign Born
New Bedford
20.7%
Worcester
23.2%
Worcester +
White
New Bedford
57.5%
Worcester
58.0%
Worcester +
Black
New Bedford
6.0%
Worcester
12.1%
Worcester +
Asian
New Bedford
1.5%
Worcester
6.9%
Worcester +
Hispanic
New Bedford
24.5%
Worcester
24.9%
Worcester +
Spanish at Home
New Bedford
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,731 | 205,501 | Worcester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.0 | 34.1 | Worcester + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 23.2% | Worcester + |
| White | 57.5% | 58.0% | Worcester + |
| Black | 6.0% | 12.1% | Worcester + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 6.9% | Worcester + |
| Hispanic | 24.5% | 24.9% | Worcester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Bedford
$56,025
Worcester
$67,544
Worcester +
Per Capita Income
New Bedford
$30,475
Worcester
$35,825
Worcester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Bedford
$85,405
Worcester
$85,405
Tie
Unemployment Rate
New Bedford
7.6%
Worcester
6.4%
Worcester +
Poverty Rate
New Bedford
19.9%
Worcester
19.8%
Worcester +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Bedford
16.8%
Worcester
34.1%
Worcester +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,025 | $67,544 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,475 | $35,825 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $85,405 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 6.4% | Worcester + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.9% | 19.8% | Worcester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 16.8% | 34.1% | Worcester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Bedford
$439,767
Worcester
$435,532
Worcester +
Homeownership Rate
New Bedford
40.0%
Worcester
42.4%
Worcester +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $439,767 | $435,532 | Worcester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.0% | 42.4% | Worcester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Bedford
326
Worcester
326
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Bedford
1086
Worcester
1086
Tie
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 326 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1086 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
36.3%
Worcester
35.3%
Worcester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
13.2%
Worcester
11.4%
Worcester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Bedford
22.0%
Worcester
19.9%
Worcester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
11.1%
Worcester
8.7%
Worcester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
16.0%
New Bedford +
Worcester
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
21.4%
Worcester
14.5%
Worcester +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 35.3% | Worcester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 11.4% | Worcester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.0% | 19.9% | Worcester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 8.7% | Worcester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 17.1% | New Bedford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.4% | 14.5% | Worcester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Bedford
51.8°F
Worcester
47.9°F
Worcester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Bedford
51.9 in
Worcester
48.1 in
Worcester +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.8°F | 47.9°F | Worcester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.9 in | 48.1 in | Worcester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Bedford
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Bedford
75.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Bedford
27.2 min
New Bedford +
Worcester
27.3 min
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.2 min | 27.3 min | New Bedford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Worcester leads in median household income at $67,544, while worcester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $435,532. On public safety, Worcester is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in New Bedford. Worcester has a lower unemployment rate at 6.4%, and Worcester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Worcester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.
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