Smart Movers Club

    Moving to New Bedford, MA

    Is New Bedford a good place to live?

    Watch New Bedford

    New Bedford ranks #58 of 64 Massachusetts cities with 25,000+ people on the Smart Movers livability score (28/100), which weighs home affordability, unemployment, education and population growth. Population grew 0.1% in the latest Census year.

    Median home value
    $324,400
    +11.4% vs prior year
    Median rent
    $1,085
    per month
    Household income
    $56,025
    median
    Unemployment
    7.6%
    lower is better

    Cost of living in New Bedford

    The median home value in New Bedford is $324,400 and median rent is $1,085 a month, against a median household income of $56,025. Homes cost about 5.8× a year of income (under 3× is considered affordable).

    New Bedford crime rate

    City-level FBI figures vary by agency; across Massachusetts the 2025 rate was 301 violent and 1,036 property crimes per 100,000 people — #42 highest of 50 states. The full report breaks down local trends.

    Moving to New Bedford, MA

    New Bedford has about 100,731 residents, 7.6% unemployment and 12% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher.

    Compare New Bedford with

    New Bedford vs BostonNew Bedford vs WorcesterNew Bedford vs SpringfieldNew Bedford vs CambridgeNew Bedford vs LowellNew Bedford vs BrocktonNew Bedford vs QuincyNew Bedford vs Lynn

    More: Where to move in Massachusetts · Best counties in Massachusetts

    Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year estimates (2023, compared with 2022); FBI Crime Data Explorer.

    Home listings, local news, migration, schools, resources and the Smart Movers Grade & Verdict.

    See the full Smart Movers Club report