| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | New Bedford/100k people | Massachusetts/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 1,755 | n/a (estimate) | 1,712 | 1,427 | 2,119 |
| Murder | 7 | n/a | 6.8 | 1.8 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 45 | n/a | 43.9 | 27.6 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | 80 | n/a | 78.1 | 36.0 | 60.6 |
| Assault | 230 | n/a | 224.4 | 249.3 | 256.1 |
| Violent crime | 362 | n/a (estimate) | 353 | 315 | 359 |
| Burglary | 189 | n/a | 184.4 | 130.3 | 229.2 |
| Theft | 954 | n/a | 930.8 | 876.3 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle theft | 250 | n/a | 243.9 | 105.5 | 258.8 |
| Property crime | 1,393 | n/a (estimate) | 1,359 | 1,112 | 1,760 |
The New Bedford crime rates are 19.2% lower than the national average. There are two main categories of crime - violent crime and property crime. Violent crime consists of murder, rape, robbery and assault, while property crimes include burglary, theft and vehicle theft. There were a total of 362 violent crimes in New Bedford (353 per 100,000 people), which is 1.6% lower than the national average and there were a total of 1393 property crimes (1359 per 100,000 residents) which is 22.8% lower than average.
The violent crime rate in New Bedford closely mirrors the national average among all cities that reported crime, with 353 incidents per 100,000 people. The national average for violent crime per 100,000 people was 359. This consistency highlights New Bedford as a community where safety standards are in line with the broader national landscape, providing residents with a reliable sense of security.
What is the prevailing sentiment among New Bedford residents regarding the state of crime? A comprehensive survey conducted by AreaVibes, involving 38 respondents, sheds light on this matter. The results were as follows: 29% of New Bedford residents expressed a notable sense of security, asserting that crime was virtually non-existent in their community, and they felt at ease strolling the streets after dark. While, 71% of those surveyed held a contrasting viewpoint, perceiving a higher incidence of crime, leading them to feel apprehensive about walking alone at night.
Is New Bedford a safe place to live? While the answer may not be straightforward due to variations in safety levels across the city, gaining an understanding of the overall crime rate can prove to be advantageous. In general, New Bedford has a crime rate that is lower than the national average by 19%. Breaking this down on a daily basis, it translates to 4.81 daily incidents, encompassing 0.99 violent crimes and 3.82 property crimes. Evaluating these statistics can aid in forming a more informed perspective on the safety of New Bedford as a potential place to call home.
In the most recent crime report, year-over-year crime rates in New Bedford has decreased by 22.8%. Examining the change in crime rates from one year to the next provides valuable insights into the evolving safety landscape of New Bedford, aiding residents in assessing whether it is becoming a safer or more dangerous place to live. These crime rates are categorized into two primary groups: violent and property crimes. Year-over-year, violent crime has decreased by 41.1%, while property crime has decreased by 16%. This comprehensive analysis offers potential residents essential information for making informed decisions about whether or not New Bedford is a safe place to live.
In areas where employment options are limited or where a significant proportion of jobs offer meager wages, the likelihood of heightened unemployment and homelessness increases. Regions facing challenges related to unemployment or inadequate income may become more vulnerable to a surge in crime stemming from economic instability. While low unemployment rates tend to lead to reduced crime in most areas. New Bedford currently has an unemployment rate of 4.8%, contrasting with the national average of 4.9%. This could be one of many factors that could contribute to a higher or lower crime rate.
New Bedford has a population density of 4866.5 people per square mile, contrasting with the national average of 90.6 people per square mile. High population density cities are often large urban hubs teeming with diverse economic opportunities. Within these environments, income disparities can become pronounced, leading to higher poverty levels. This economic divide may contribute to an uptick in property crimes and, occasionally, violent crimes. In contrast, areas characterized by low population density typically exhibit lower New Bedford crime rates.
High cost of living can lead to economic stress for individuals and families, particularly those with limited financial resources. When people struggle to make ends meet due to high housing costs, healthcare expenses, or other basic necessities, they may be more inclined to engage in criminal activities, such as theft or fraud, as a means of financial survival. On the flipside, cities that have a lower cost of living, could see a reduced crime rate. In New Bedford, the cost of living is 11.52% higher than the national average.
Why stop at city-to-city? With Local Insights, you can compare neighborhoods, zip codes, or even exact addresses. Access 300+ hyperlocal data points—from schools and crime to housing and amenities—to see which area is the better fit.
| Item | New Bedford | Massachusetts | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 296 | 11,659 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 3.1 | 2.2 | 3.3 |
| State | Total offenders | Massachusetts /100K | National /100K |
| Massachusetts | 4,551 | 72 | 266 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Marion Center, MA | 1,103 | 44 | 156 | 200 |
| Mattapoisett Center, MA | 3,275 | 72 | 255 | 327 |
| Pocasset, MA | 2,651 | 103 | 365 | 469 |
| Weweantic, MA | 1,324 | 118 | 417 | 535 |
| Woods Hole, MA | 958 | 127 | 449 | 577 |
| Onset, MA | 1,074 | 131 | 462 | 593 |
| Wareham Center, MA | 2,714 | 145 | 514 | 659 |
| New Bedford, MA | 97,315 | 353 | 1,359 | 1,712 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Sunrise, FL | 97,297 | 252 | 1,342 | 1,594 |
| South Gate, CA | 97,255 | 526 | 3,599 | 4,124 |
| Livonia, MI | 97,392 | 228 | 1,262 | 1,490 |
| Lynn, MA | 97,235 | 575 | 1,171 | 1,745 |
| Lawton, OK | 97,207 | 820 | 2,653 | 3,473 |
| New Bedford, MA | 97,315 | 353 | 1,359 | 1,712 |
Here are the best places to live in Massachusetts
See the best places to live in New Bedford
Most Dangerous Cities In The US
Safest States In The US