Atlanta 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)
Atlanta, GA
Georgia · Population: 499,287
- Median HH Income$81,938
- Median Home Price$387,752
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+58.4%
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
Atlanta
499,287
Atlanta +
South Bend
102,866
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Atlanta
N/A
South Bend
N/A
Median Age
Atlanta
34.0
South Bend
33.9
South Bend +
Foreign Born
Atlanta
8.6%
South Bend
8.9%
South Bend +
White
Atlanta
39.9%
South Bend
54.1%
South Bend +
Black
Atlanta
46.9%
Atlanta +
South Bend
24.4%
Asian
Atlanta
5.0%
Atlanta +
South Bend
1.7%
Hispanic
Atlanta
6.3%
South Bend
17.3%
South Bend +
Spanish at Home
Atlanta
N/A
South Bend
N/A
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 499,287 | 102,866 | Atlanta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 33.9 | South Bend + |
| Foreign Born | 8.6% | 8.9% | South Bend + |
| White | 39.9% | 54.1% | South Bend + |
| Black | 46.9% | 24.4% | Atlanta + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 1.7% | Atlanta + |
| Hispanic | 6.3% | 17.3% | South Bend + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Atlanta
$81,938
Atlanta +
South Bend
$52,512
Per Capita Income
Atlanta
$64,063
Atlanta +
South Bend
$29,511
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Atlanta
$57,405
South Bend
$58,697
South Bend +
Unemployment Rate
Atlanta
5.9%
Atlanta +
South Bend
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Atlanta
17.9%
Atlanta +
South Bend
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Atlanta
58.4%
Atlanta +
South Bend
29.4%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,938 | $52,512 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,063 | $29,511 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $58,697 | South Bend + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 6.0% | Atlanta + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 22.6% | Atlanta + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.4% | 29.4% | Atlanta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Atlanta
$387,752
South Bend
$194,972
South Bend +
Homeownership Rate
Atlanta
46.3%
South Bend
58.8%
South Bend +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $387,752 | $194,972 | South Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.3% | 58.8% | South Bend + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
392
South Bend
370
South Bend +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
1752
South Bend
1719
South Bend +
| Metric | Atlanta, 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
Atlanta
29.3%
Atlanta +
South Bend
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
10.6%
Atlanta +
South Bend
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Atlanta
17.2%
Atlanta +
South Bend
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.3%
Atlanta +
South Bend
12.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
17.2%
South Bend
15.3%
South Bend +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.1%
Atlanta +
South Bend
18.2%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.3% | 39.7% | Atlanta + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 15.2% | Atlanta + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 20.3% | Atlanta + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 12.6% | Atlanta + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 15.3% | South Bend + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 18.2% | Atlanta + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
N/A
South Bend
49.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
51.5 in
South Bend
38.0 in
South Bend +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 49.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5 in | 38.0 in | South Bend + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Atlanta
9.8 µg/m³
Atlanta +
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Atlanta
55.0%
South Bend
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Atlanta + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Atlanta
28.7 min
South Bend
21.6 min
South Bend +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.7 min | 21.6 min | South Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
Atlanta leads in median household income at $81,938, while south Bend offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $194,972. On public safety, South Bend is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Atlanta. Atlanta has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Atlanta has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Atlanta scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.3%.
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