Economy, jobs and prices in New Bedford, Massachusetts: official figures
The median household income in New Bedford was $56,981 a year in the 2020-2024 American Community Survey (in 2024 dollars), 107th lowest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more; the US median was $80,734 and the Massachusetts median $103,960.
What is the per capita income in New Bedford?
Income per resident (per capita income) in New Bedford averaged $30,556 a year in 2020-2024, 108th lowest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: $44,673; Massachusetts: $57,897).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow unequal are incomes in New Bedford?
New Bedford's Gini index of household income inequality was 0.450 in 2020-2024 (0 means equal incomes, 1 maximum inequality), 383rd most unequal of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more; the US figure was 0.483.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat is the unemployment rate in New Bedford, Massachusetts?
8.3% of the civilian labor force in New Bedford was unemployed on average over 2020-2024 (4,114 people), 74th highest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more; the US rate in the same survey was 5.2% and Massachusetts' 5.2%.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow many people in New Bedford have jobs?
45,599 residents of New Bedford held civilian jobs, 57.2% of those aged 16 and over (US: 59.7%), and 53 served in the armed forces.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat are the main industries in New Bedford?
The largest industry group for working residents of New Bedford was education, health care and social assistance (26.2% of employed residents), followed by retail trade (12.2%) and manufacturing (11.1%), 2020-2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow many people in New Bedford work in manufacturing?
Manufacturing employed 11.1% of working residents of New Bedford, 241st highest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 9.9%); professional, scientific and management services employed 7.7% (US: 12.6%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow long is the commute in New Bedford, Massachusetts?
Commuters in New Bedford took 24.7 minutes on average to get to work in 2020-2024, 403rd longest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 26.4 minutes); 8.7% travelled an hour or more and 33.4% less than 15 minutes.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow do people in New Bedford get to work?
5.4% of workers living in New Bedford worked from home in 2020-2024, 23rd lowest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 15.1%). 72.1% drove to work alone, 15.2% carpooled, 2.7% used public transport and 2.3% walked.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat is the average rent in New Bedford, Massachusetts?
The median gross rent (rent plus utilities) in New Bedford was $1,137 a month in 2020-2024, 157th lowest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: $1,413; Massachusetts: $1,762).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does a house cost in New Bedford?
Owner-occupied homes in New Bedford had a median value of $357,300 in 2020-2024 as estimated by their owners, 355th lowest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: $332,700; Massachusetts: $562,100).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow affordable are homes in New Bedford?
The median home value in New Bedford was 6.3 times the median household income, 185th highest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 4.1 times).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow many households in New Bedford have no internet?
9.8% of households in New Bedford (4,148) had no internet access at home in 2020-2024, 52nd highest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 6.5%); 14.2% relied on a cellular data plan alone (US: 11.5%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow New Bedford compares with other cities in the United States
Median household income (2024 dollars) (2020-2024)
New Bedford ranks 717 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Median household income (2024 dollars) |
|---|---|---|
| 714 | Middletown | $57,102 |
| 715 | Tucson | $57,073 |
| 716 | Beaumont | $56,997 |
| 717 | New Bedford | $56,981 |
| 718 | Topeka | $56,956 |
| 719 | Burlington | $56,880 |
| 720 | New Haven | $56,851 |
Per capita income (2024 dollars) (2020-2024)
New Bedford ranks 716 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Per capita income (2024 dollars) |
|---|---|---|
| 713 | South Bend | $30,791 |
| 714 | Winter Haven | $30,632 |
| 715 | Dearborn | $30,588 |
| 716 | New Bedford | $30,556 |
| 717 | Hemet | $30,507 |
| 718 | Yakima | $30,483 |
| 719 | Battle Creek | $30,455 |
Gini index of household income inequality (2020-2024)
New Bedford ranks 383 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Gini index of household income inequality |
|---|---|---|
| 380 | Vineland | 0.450 |
| 381 | Redmond | 0.450 |
| 382 | Pembroke Pines | 0.450 |
| 383 | New Bedford | 0.450 |
| 384 | Battle Creek | 0.450 |
| 385 | Lincoln | 0.449 |
| 386 | Toledo | 0.449 |
Unemployment rate (share of civilian labor force) (2020-2024)
New Bedford ranks 74 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Unemployment rate (share of civilian labor force) |
|---|---|---|
| 71 | Decatur | 8.3% |
| 72 | Memphis | 8.3% |
| 73 | Inglewood | 8.3% |
| 74 | New Bedford | 8.3% |
| 75 | Glendale | 8.3% |
| 76 | Lansing | 8.2% |
| 77 | Los Angeles | 8.2% |
Labor force participation rate (16 and over) (2020-2024)
New Bedford ranks 610 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Labor force participation rate (16 and over) |
|---|---|---|
| 607 | Athens | 62.5% |
| 608 | Thousand Oaks | 62.5% |
| 609 | High Point | 62.4% |
| 610 | New Bedford | 62.4% |
| 611 | Whittier | 62.4% |
| 612 | Great Falls | 62.4% |
| 613 | Albany | 62.4% |
Mean travel time to work (minutes) (2020-2024)
New Bedford ranks 403 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Mean travel time to work (minutes) |
|---|---|---|
| 400 | Anderson | 24.7 |
| 401 | West Sacramento | 24.7 |
| 402 | Sterling Heights | 24.7 |
| 403 | New Bedford | 24.7 |
| 404 | Mesa | 24.7 |
| 405 | Farmington Hills | 24.7 |
| 406 | Lawrence | 24.7 |
Workers who worked from home (2020-2024)
New Bedford ranks 801 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Workers who worked from home |
|---|---|---|
| 798 | Kokomo | 5.5% |
| 799 | Camden | 5.5% |
| 800 | Vineland | 5.4% |
| 801 | New Bedford | 5.4% |
| 802 | Tulare | 5.4% |
| 803 | Corpus Christi | 5.3% |
| 804 | Paterson | 5.2% |
Workers commuting by public transportation (2020-2024)
New Bedford ranks 193 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Workers commuting by public transportation |
|---|---|---|
| 190 | Perth Amboy | 2.8% |
| 191 | West Allis | 2.8% |
| 192 | College Station | 2.7% |
| 193 | New Bedford | 2.7% |
| 194 | Spokane | 2.7% |
| 195 | Santa Ana | 2.7% |
| 196 | San Diego | 2.7% |
Employed residents working in manufacturing (2020-2024)
New Bedford ranks 241 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Employed residents working in manufacturing |
|---|---|---|
| 238 | Broken Arrow | 11.1% |
| 239 | Buena Park | 11.1% |
| 240 | Kannapolis | 11.1% |
| 241 | New Bedford | 11.1% |
| 242 | Eastvale | 11.1% |
| 243 | Greeley | 11.1% |
| 244 | Escondido | 11.1% |
Employed residents in education, health care and social assistance (2020-2024)
New Bedford ranks 178 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Employed residents in education, health care and social assistance |
|---|---|---|
| 175 | Birmingham | 26.3% |
| 176 | Pensacola | 26.3% |
| 177 | Summerville | 26.3% |
| 178 | New Bedford | 26.2% |
| 179 | El Paso | 26.2% |
| 180 | North Little Rock | 26.1% |
| 181 | Elk Grove | 26.1% |
Median gross rent per month (2020-2024)
New Bedford ranks 667 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Median gross rent per month |
|---|---|---|
| 664 | Augusta | $1,142 |
| 665 | Grand Junction | $1,142 |
| 666 | Billings | $1,138 |
| 667 | New Bedford | $1,137 |
| 668 | Hammond | $1,134 |
| 669 | Oklahoma City | $1,130 |
| 670 | Kansas City | $1,123 |
Median value of owner-occupied homes (2020-2024)
New Bedford ranks 469 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Median value of owner-occupied homes |
|---|---|---|
| 466 | Shawnee | $359,700 |
| 467 | Springfield | $358,700 |
| 468 | Smyrna | $358,300 |
| 469 | New Bedford | $357,300 |
| 470 | Pearland | $356,300 |
| 471 | St. Cloud | $356,200 |
| 472 | Ogden | $355,600 |
Median home value as a multiple of median household income (2020-2024)
New Bedford ranks 182 of 820, highest first.
| Rank | City | Median home value as a multiple of median household income |
|---|---|---|
| 179 | Malden | 6.3x |
| 180 | Highland | 6.3x |
| 181 | Santa Maria | 6.3x |
| 182 | New Bedford | 6.3x |
| 183 | San Bernardino | 6.3x |
| 184 | Carson City | 6.3x |
| 185 | Quincy | 6.3x |
Occupied homes lived in by their owners (2020-2024)
New Bedford ranks 765 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Occupied homes lived in by their owners |
|---|---|---|
| 762 | Athens | 40.7% |
| 763 | Tallahassee | 40.6% |
| 764 | Reading | 40.6% |
| 765 | New Bedford | 40.3% |
| 766 | San Luis Obispo | 40.3% |
| 767 | El Monte | 40.2% |
| 768 | Santa Barbara | 39.9% |
Households with a broadband subscription (2020-2024)
New Bedford ranks 761 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Households with a broadband subscription |
|---|---|---|
| 758 | Hartford | 86.7% |
| 759 | Decatur | 86.7% |
| 760 | North Little Rock | 86.6% |
| 761 | New Bedford | 86.6% |
| 762 | Tuscaloosa | 86.6% |
| 763 | Rockford | 86.6% |
| 764 | Enid | 86.5% |
Households with no internet access (2020-2024)
New Bedford ranks 52 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Households with no internet access |
|---|---|---|
| 49 | Miami Gardens | 9.9% |
| 50 | Kenner | 9.9% |
| 51 | Hammond | 9.8% |
| 52 | New Bedford | 9.8% |
| 53 | St. Louis | 9.8% |
| 54 | Baltimore | 9.8% |
| 55 | New Brunswick | 9.7% |
More on New Bedford: overview · health · education and schools · poverty and living standards · government budget · all cities in the United States
Sources
- U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, table B08013: Aggregate Travel Time to Work (in Minutes) of Workers by Sex (Summary File rows for the US, the states and the listed cities, copied unchanged from the full file, sha256 6939fdfa046fd5bb829ec8da9549e66298cc740f6a3f5dd60e1920a08e3083fb), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 5f94e7878b6a…)
- U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, table B23025: Employment Status for the Population 16 Years and Over (Summary File rows for the US, the states and the listed cities, copied unchanged from the full file, sha256 264a5bd9367c5f58d9773fa4966fa94fe1e02f9c7106bc2ab39168d6de7c3e4a), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 2630e6946370…)
- U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, table B19083: Gini Index of Income Inequality (Summary File rows for the US, the states and the listed cities, copied unchanged from the full file, sha256 338f7a1191eaaf3913913e78c36aaa9d82f2b5c8faaf889be2e597b28869205e), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 b8cf854b1f94…)
- U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, table C24030: Sex by Industry for the Civilian Employed Population 16 Years and Over (Summary File rows for the US, the states and the listed cities, copied unchanged from the full file, sha256 66a2799a71a5fc36f0e3bc22767fe5bdd8f96eb29e85b91311e990d35cc14114), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 5d717c57e7e4…)
- U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, table B19013: Median Household Income in the Past 12 Months (in 2024 Inflation-Adjusted Dollars) (Summary File rows for the US, the states and the listed cities, copied unchanged from the full file, sha256 b25a176b0e6c339b6f3a2a0d3d8446bf06f5f080b4395993ec9a8313efb1c229), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 1d8a264807c6…)
- U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, table B08301: Means of Transportation to Work (Summary File rows for the US, the states and the listed cities, copied unchanged from the full file, sha256 552b24c135b6e7c566910914a861cda6fc798ba0cd47801b1eb64295a128c2ee), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 eaf823006d53…)
- U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, table B19301: Per Capita Income in the Past 12 Months (in 2024 Inflation-Adjusted Dollars) (Summary File rows for the US, the states and the listed cities, copied unchanged from the full file, sha256 9fc107e98fee7fa49bb8314560205569184fad65fb64b80adb5c5bdd83ccc409), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 24c1e725b26a…)
- U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, table B25064: Median Gross Rent (Dollars) (Summary File rows for the US, the states and the listed cities, copied unchanged from the full file, sha256 b36e6dc1fcef36b8b307d31b37517b64c80d8b9c70d48c9b1894242860f42eb0), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 b842a7ff825c…)
- U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, table B25077: Median Value (Dollars) (Summary File rows for the US, the states and the listed cities, copied unchanged from the full file, sha256 89eb2153764a2330b23959d8bbc29b3a8f3016f087b990f2a8ea0d5096d9a816), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 22b59a3b1acb…)
- U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, table B28002: Presence and Types of Internet Subscriptions in Household (Summary File rows for the US, the states and the listed cities, copied unchanged from the full file, sha256 12446ff0691b8818f5908cdc398817361772c5b3078c506d0409adc9c841840b), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 4b375b368bf9…)
- U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, table B25003: Tenure (Summary File rows for the US, the states and the listed cities, copied unchanged from the full file, sha256 68e963e1ed60fcf6b0658579cefc6498b7a9eb780b9f3e87fd1b9775c4d4ac6c), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 2983c28f47fa…)
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