Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Elizabeth, NJ
VS
New Bedford, MA
🏆 New Bedford leads 15 of 23 categories
Elizabeth
New Jersey
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
112.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$59,939 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
108⚠ High
Population
135,665 ✓ Larger
New Bedford
Massachusetts
15
wins
Cost of Living Index
100.9⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$54,604
Violent Crime Index
93 ✓ Safer
Population
100,620
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Elizabeth, NJ
Pros
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.3 pts lower (5.9%)
Households earn $5,335 more per year on average
Cons
Higher rents — median is $1,390/mo
Pricier housing — median home is $358,400
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 112.5)
Property crime (2657.8/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
New Bedford, MA
Pros
Rent averages $364/mo less ($1,026 vs $1,390)
14% less violent crime than Elizabeth
Homes cost $67k less ($291,300 vs $358,400)
12% cheaper overall cost of living than Elizabeth
Cons
Higher unemployment (7.2% vs 5.9%)
Median income trails Elizabeth by $5,335/yr
Key Differences at a Glance
Elizabeth
Median Income
$5,335
$59,939 vs $54,604/yr
Elizabeth
Unemployment
1.3 pp lower
5.9% vs 7.2% unemployment
Elizabeth
Summer Heat
4.4°F warmer
July avg high 86.9°F vs 82.5°F
New Bedford
Cost of Living
12% cheaper
COL index 100.9 vs 112.5 (100 = US avg)
New Bedford
Violent Crime
14% lower
353.2 vs 408.7 per 100k
New Bedford
Median Home Value
$67k less
$291,300 vs $358,400
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | New Bedford, MA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 112.5⚠ High | 100.9⚠ High ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $358,400⚠ High | $291,300 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,390⚠ High | $1,026 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $59,939 ✓ Higher | $54,604 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 7.2%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 26.7 min | 25.4 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 4.8% ✓ Higher | 4.3% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 115⚠ High | 82 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 108⚠ High | 93 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 127⚠ High | 65 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (91) | B- (94) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.0:1 | 11.7:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 14.1% | 16.4% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 74.3% | 76.3% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Elizabeth Public Schools | New Bedford |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 40.0°F ✓ Warmer | 39.1°F |
| Avg High — July | 86.9°F ✓ Warmer | 82.5°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 46.6" | 45.9" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 31.5" ✓ Less | 32.5" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 135,665 ✓ Larger | 100,620 |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 36.8 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.1% | 39.9% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 25.4% ✓ More | 23.5% |
| Over 65 | 11.4% | 15.8% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Elizabeth's cost of living index is 112.5 vs New Bedford's 100.9 (US average = 100).
New Bedford is 12% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, New Bedford leads 15 of 23 categories. Elizabeth wins 8 and New Bedford wins 15. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Elizabeth to New Bedford or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($358,400 vs $291,300 median home), income ($59,939 vs $54,604), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Elizabeth, NJ and New Bedford, MA are about 183 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.