New Bedford, MA Crime Rate & Safety
Higher crime than 81% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is New Bedford Safe?
It's average — crime is at the national average
Crime rates are comparable to the national average. Being aware of your surroundings is advisable.
New Bedford has a crime rate that is 24% above the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 217.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 217
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
21% higher than national average
Property Crime
1 in 41
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
32% higher than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
New Bedford Crime Breakdown
Estimated crime rates based on FBI UCR data, calibrated to city-level crime score.
| Crime Type | Index | vs National | Risk Level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | ||||
|
Murder
|
131 | +31% | Moderate | |
|
Assault
|
128 | +28% | Moderate | |
|
Robbery
|
108 | +8% | Average | |
|
Rape
|
92 | -8% | Average | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
108 | +8% | Average | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
122 | +22% | Moderate | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
131 | +31% | Moderate | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
New Bedford Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
New Bedford Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific New Bedford zip codes.
New Bedford Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in New Bedford, MA?
New Bedford, MA has a crime safety grade of C as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 24% above the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 217 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 41 chance for property crime. New Bedford has higher crime than 81% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is New Bedford, MA safe to live in?
New Bedford has a moderate level of crime with a safety grade of C. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting New Bedford is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in New Bedford?
The estimated violent crime rate in New Bedford is 460.1 per 100,000 residents, which is 21% higher than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 217 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 6.5 per 100K (31% above average); aggravated assault at 342.8 per 100K (28% above average); robbery at 79.7 per 100K (8% above average).
What is the property crime rate in New Bedford?
The estimated property crime rate in New Bedford is 2,425.5 per 100,000 residents, which is 32% higher than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 41 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 291.0 per 100K (8% above average); larceny/theft at 1,715.5 per 100K (22% above average); vehicle theft at 419.0 per 100K (31% above average).
How does New Bedford crime compare to the national average?
New Bedford's overall crime rate is 24% above the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is murder (31% above average), while rape is 8% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, New Bedford has higher crime than 81% of them.
Is New Bedford safe to visit?
Visitors to New Bedford should take standard urban precautions. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 32% above average, which is typically the main concern for tourists. Avoid leaving valuables in vehicles, stay aware of your surroundings in unfamiliar areas, and stick to well-traveled neighborhoods.
How does New Bedford crime compare to the rest of Massachusetts?
Massachusetts as a whole has crime that is 17% below the national average. New Bedford's crime rate is 24% above the national average, making it more dangerous than the typical Massachusetts city.
What type of crime is most common in New Bedford?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in New Bedford, with an estimated rate of 1,715.5 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 22% above the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (2,426 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (460 per 100K) in New Bedford, which is consistent with national trends.