Alexandria VA 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)
Alexandria, VA
Virginia · Population: 156,788
- Median HH Income$113,638
- Median Home Price$679,447
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+65.8%
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
Alexandria
156,788
Alexandria +
South Bend
102,866
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Alexandria
N/A
South Bend
N/A
Median Age
Alexandria
37.5
South Bend
33.9
South Bend +
Foreign Born
Alexandria
24.6%
Alexandria +
South Bend
8.9%
White
Alexandria
53.6%
South Bend
54.1%
South Bend +
Black
Alexandria
21.1%
South Bend
24.4%
South Bend +
Asian
Alexandria
6.3%
Alexandria +
South Bend
1.7%
Hispanic
Alexandria
18.2%
Alexandria +
South Bend
17.3%
Spanish at Home
Alexandria
N/A
South Bend
N/A
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,788 | 102,866 | Alexandria + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 33.9 | South Bend + |
| Foreign Born | 24.6% | 8.9% | Alexandria + |
| White | 53.6% | 54.1% | South Bend + |
| Black | 21.1% | 24.4% | South Bend + |
| Asian | 6.3% | 1.7% | Alexandria + |
| Hispanic | 18.2% | 17.3% | Alexandria + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Alexandria
$113,638
Alexandria +
South Bend
$52,512
Per Capita Income
Alexandria
$77,935
Alexandria +
South Bend
$29,511
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Alexandria
$69,581
Alexandria +
South Bend
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Alexandria
3.4%
Alexandria +
South Bend
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Alexandria
8.4%
Alexandria +
South Bend
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Alexandria
65.8%
Alexandria +
South Bend
29.4%
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,638 | $52,512 | Alexandria + |
| Per Capita Income | $77,935 | $29,511 | Alexandria + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $58,697 | Alexandria + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 6.0% | Alexandria + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.4% | 22.6% | Alexandria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 65.8% | 29.4% | Alexandria + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Alexandria
$679,447
South Bend
$194,972
South Bend +
Homeownership Rate
Alexandria
42.0%
South Bend
58.8%
South Bend +
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $679,447 | $194,972 | South Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 58.8% | South Bend + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Alexandria
240
Alexandria +
South Bend
370
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Alexandria
1726
South Bend
1719
South Bend +
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 370 | Alexandria + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1719 | South Bend + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
31.7%
Alexandria +
South Bend
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
9.2%
Alexandria +
South Bend
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Alexandria
15.0%
Alexandria +
South Bend
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
8.6%
Alexandria +
South Bend
12.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
16.5%
South Bend
15.3%
South Bend +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
9.1%
Alexandria +
South Bend
18.2%
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.7% | 39.7% | Alexandria + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 15.2% | Alexandria + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.0% | 20.3% | Alexandria + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 12.6% | Alexandria + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 15.3% | South Bend + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 18.2% | Alexandria + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Alexandria
N/A
South Bend
49.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Alexandria
N/A
South Bend
38.0 in
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 49.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 38.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Alexandria
8.2 µg/m³
Alexandria +
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Alexandria
75.0%
Alexandria +
South Bend
55.0%
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Alexandria + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Alexandria + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Alexandria
31.8 min
South Bend
21.6 min
South Bend +
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.8 min | 21.6 min | South Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
Alexandria leads in median household income at $113,638, while south Bend offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $194,972. On public safety, Alexandria is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in South Bend. Alexandria has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Alexandria has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Alexandria scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.7%.
Compare More Cities
Alexandria, VA vs New York, NYAlexandria, VA vs Los Angeles, CAAlexandria, VA vs Chicago, ILAlexandria, VA vs Houston, TXAlexandria, VA vs Phoenix, AZAlexandria, VA vs Philadelphia, PA