Albany GA 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)
Albany, GA
Georgia · Population: 67,939
- Median HH Income$45,201
- Median Home Price$131,279
- Unemployment11.5%
- Bachelor's+21.5%
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
Albany
67,939
South Bend
102,866
South Bend +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
South Bend
N/A
Median Age
Albany
35.1
South Bend
33.9
South Bend +
Foreign Born
Albany
1.7%
South Bend
8.9%
South Bend +
White
Albany
18.9%
South Bend
54.1%
South Bend +
Black
Albany
76.3%
Albany +
South Bend
24.4%
Asian
Albany
0.7%
South Bend
1.7%
South Bend +
Hispanic
Albany
2.5%
South Bend
17.3%
South Bend +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
South Bend
N/A
| Metric | Albany, GA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 67,939 | 102,866 | South Bend + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 33.9 | South Bend + |
| Foreign Born | 1.7% | 8.9% | South Bend + |
| White | 18.9% | 54.1% | South Bend + |
| Black | 76.3% | 24.4% | Albany + |
| Asian | 0.7% | 1.7% | South Bend + |
| Hispanic | 2.5% | 17.3% | South Bend + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$45,201
South Bend
$52,512
South Bend +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$24,527
South Bend
$29,511
South Bend +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$57,405
South Bend
$58,697
South Bend +
Unemployment Rate
Albany
11.5%
South Bend
6.0%
South Bend +
Poverty Rate
Albany
29.2%
South Bend
22.6%
South Bend +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
21.5%
South Bend
29.4%
South Bend +
| Metric | Albany, GA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,201 | $52,512 | South Bend + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,527 | $29,511 | South Bend + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $58,697 | South Bend + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 6.0% | South Bend + |
| Poverty Rate | 29.2% | 22.6% | South Bend + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.5% | 29.4% | South Bend + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$131,279
Albany +
South Bend
$194,972
Homeownership Rate
Albany
39.3%
South Bend
58.8%
South Bend +
| Metric | Albany, GA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $131,279 | $194,972 | Albany + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.3% | 58.8% | South Bend + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
392
South Bend
370
South Bend +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1752
South Bend
1719
South Bend +
| Metric | Albany, GA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 370 | South Bend + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1719 | South Bend + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
43.0%
South Bend
39.7%
South Bend +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.2%
South Bend
15.2%
South Bend +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
20.4%
South Bend
20.3%
South Bend +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
16.8%
South Bend
12.6%
South Bend +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
11.1%
Albany +
South Bend
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.3%
South Bend
18.2%
South Bend +
| Metric | Albany, GA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 43.0% | 39.7% | South Bend + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 15.2% | South Bend + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 20.3% | South Bend + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 12.6% | South Bend + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 15.3% | Albany + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.3% | 18.2% | South Bend + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
66.2°F
South Bend
49.8°F
South Bend +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
51.4 in
South Bend
38.0 in
South Bend +
| Metric | Albany, GA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.2°F | 49.8°F | South Bend + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.4 in | 38.0 in | South Bend + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
9.8 µg/m³
Albany +
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
55.0%
South Bend
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albany, GA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Albany + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
22.0 min
South Bend
21.6 min
South Bend +
| Metric | Albany, GA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 21.6 min | South Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
South Bend leads in median household income at $52,512, while albany offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $131,279. On public safety, South Bend is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Albany. South Bend has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Albany has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, South Bend scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.7%.
Compare More Cities
Albany, GA vs New York, NYAlbany, GA vs Los Angeles, CAAlbany, GA vs Chicago, ILAlbany, GA vs Houston, TXAlbany, GA vs Phoenix, AZAlbany, GA vs Philadelphia, PA