New Bedford, MA vs Salem, MA
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
New Bedford
68.9
#1273 nationally
Salem
68.6
#1307 nationally
Salem leads in crime level (4.2 vs 9.7). Salem leads in median household income ($79,196 vs $54,604). New Bedford leads in average commute (25.4 min vs 30.6 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Salem, MA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 68.9 (#1273) | 68.6 (#1307) |
| Population | 100,695 | 44,744 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $446,955 | $614,321 |
| Median Household Income | $54,604 | $79,196 |
| Average Commute | 25.4 min | 30.6 min |
| Walk Score | 65 | 70 |
| Crime Level | 9.7 | 4.2 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 116 | 135 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+1.3 | D+20.3 |
D+
68.9 Score
New Bedford, MA
Mid-size Massachusetts city with community character
Median Home
$446,955
Population
100,695
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
65
Northeast
View New Bedford, MA →
D+
68.6 Score
Salem, MA
Small Massachusetts city with local appeal
Median Home
$614,321
Population
44,744
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
70
Northeast
View Salem, MA →