Akron OH vs South Bend IN — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Akron, OH
Ohio · Population: 189,526
- Median HH Income$48,544
- Median Home Price$140,512
- Unemployment8.0%
- Bachelor's+23.3%
South Bend, IN
Indiana · Population: 102,866
- Median HH Income$52,512
- Median Home Price$194,972
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+29.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Akron
189,526
Akron +
South Bend
102,866
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Akron
N/A
South Bend
N/A
Median Age
Akron
37.2
South Bend
33.9
South Bend +
Foreign Born
Akron
6.4%
South Bend
8.9%
South Bend +
White
Akron
56.1%
Akron +
South Bend
54.1%
Black
Akron
29.4%
Akron +
South Bend
24.4%
Asian
Akron
4.6%
Akron +
South Bend
1.7%
Hispanic
Akron
4.1%
South Bend
17.3%
South Bend +
Spanish at Home
Akron
N/A
South Bend
N/A
| Metric | Akron, OH | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 189,526 | 102,866 | Akron + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 33.9 | South Bend + |
| Foreign Born | 6.4% | 8.9% | South Bend + |
| White | 56.1% | 54.1% | Akron + |
| Black | 29.4% | 24.4% | Akron + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 1.7% | Akron + |
| Hispanic | 4.1% | 17.3% | South Bend + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Akron
$48,544
South Bend
$52,512
South Bend +
Per Capita Income
Akron
$29,763
Akron +
South Bend
$29,511
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Akron
$58,300
South Bend
$58,697
South Bend +
Unemployment Rate
Akron
8.0%
South Bend
6.0%
South Bend +
Poverty Rate
Akron
22.9%
South Bend
22.6%
South Bend +
Bachelor's Degree+
Akron
23.3%
South Bend
29.4%
South Bend +
| Metric | Akron, OH | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,544 | $52,512 | South Bend + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,763 | $29,511 | Akron + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $58,697 | South Bend + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.0% | 6.0% | South Bend + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.9% | 22.6% | South Bend + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 29.4% | South Bend + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Akron
$140,512
Akron +
South Bend
$194,972
Homeownership Rate
Akron
50.8%
South Bend
58.8%
South Bend +
| Metric | Akron, OH | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $140,512 | $194,972 | Akron + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | 58.8% | South Bend + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
319
Akron +
South Bend
370
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
1866
South Bend
1719
South Bend +
| Metric | Akron, OH | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 370 | Akron + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1719 | South Bend + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
42.7%
South Bend
39.7%
South Bend +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
16.5%
South Bend
15.2%
South Bend +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Akron
20.6%
South Bend
20.3%
South Bend +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Akron
10.4%
Akron +
South Bend
12.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Akron
14.1%
Akron +
South Bend
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Akron
19.6%
South Bend
18.2%
South Bend +
| Metric | Akron, OH | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.7% | 39.7% | South Bend + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 15.2% | South Bend + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.6% | 20.3% | South Bend + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 12.6% | Akron + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 15.3% | Akron + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 18.2% | South Bend + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
50.2°F
South Bend
49.8°F
South Bend +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
37.1 in
Akron +
South Bend
38.0 in
| Metric | Akron, OH | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 49.8°F | South Bend + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.1 in | 38.0 in | Akron + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Akron
10.3 µg/m³
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
South Bend +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Akron
55.0%
South Bend
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Akron, OH | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | South Bend + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Akron
23.8 min
South Bend
21.6 min
South Bend +
| Metric | Akron, OH | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.8 min | 21.6 min | South Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
South Bend leads in median household income at $52,512, while akron offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $140,512. On public safety, Akron is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in South Bend. South Bend has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and South Bend has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 10.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, South Bend scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.7%.
Compare More Cities
Akron, OH vs New York, NYAkron, OH vs Los Angeles, CAAkron, OH vs Chicago, ILAkron, OH vs Houston, TXAkron, OH vs Phoenix, AZAkron, OH vs Philadelphia, PA