New Bedford, MA vs Newport News, VA

New Bedford is safer with a higher safety score by 10 points. New Bedford, MA has a safety score of 69/100 while Newport News, VA has 59/100, based on FBI Uniform Crime Report data.

New Bedford, MA has a violent crime rate of 353.2 per 100,000 residents, while Newport News, VA has 736.0 per 100,000. Lower rates indicate safer communities. The national average is approximately 380 per 100,000.

New Bedford, MA has a property crime rate of 1359.1 per 100,000, compared to 2416.1 per 100,000 in Newport News, VA. Property crimes include burglary, theft, and motor vehicle theft.

Safety scores range from 0-100, combining violent crime rates, property crime rates, and population data from the FBI UCR. Higher scores mean safer cities. Grades: A (80+), B (65-79), C (50-64), D (40-49), F (below 40).

Based on crime data alone, New Bedford is safer. However, safety is just one factor — also consider cost of living, job market, schools, and quality of life. Visit our city pages for more details on each.