New Bedford is a city in Bristol County, Massachusetts, located about 51 miles south of Boston, 28 miles southeast of Providence, Rhode Island, and about 12 miles east of Fall River. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 93,768. It is the seventh largest city in the state. New Bedford is nicknamed 'The Whaling City' due to the fact that it was one of the most important ports for the whaling industry. The city is considered one of the two major cities along the area of Massachusetts known as the South Coast. The mayor of New Bedford is Scott W. Lang. New Bedford apartments for rent comparison page shows most up to date rent information on New Bedford apartments and houses. Rent information is obtained from multiple rental sources but we cannot guarantee their accuracy.