Baltimore MD 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)
Baltimore, MD
Maryland · Population: 577,193
- Median HH Income$59,623
- Median Home Price$191,668
- Unemployment6.6%
- Bachelor's+35.4%
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
Baltimore
577,193
Baltimore +
South Bend
102,866
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baltimore
N/A
South Bend
N/A
Median Age
Baltimore
36.1
South Bend
33.9
South Bend +
Foreign Born
Baltimore
8.8%
South Bend
8.9%
South Bend +
White
Baltimore
27.4%
South Bend
54.1%
South Bend +
Black
Baltimore
60.0%
Baltimore +
South Bend
24.4%
Asian
Baltimore
2.5%
Baltimore +
South Bend
1.7%
Hispanic
Baltimore
7.9%
South Bend
17.3%
South Bend +
Spanish at Home
Baltimore
N/A
South Bend
N/A
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 577,193 | 102,866 | Baltimore + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 33.9 | South Bend + |
| Foreign Born | 8.8% | 8.9% | South Bend + |
| White | 27.4% | 54.1% | South Bend + |
| Black | 60.0% | 24.4% | Baltimore + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 1.7% | Baltimore + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 17.3% | South Bend + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baltimore
$59,623
Baltimore +
South Bend
$52,512
Per Capita Income
Baltimore
$39,195
Baltimore +
South Bend
$29,511
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baltimore
$70,886
Baltimore +
South Bend
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Baltimore
6.6%
South Bend
6.0%
South Bend +
Poverty Rate
Baltimore
20.1%
Baltimore +
South Bend
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Baltimore
35.4%
Baltimore +
South Bend
29.4%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,623 | $52,512 | Baltimore + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,195 | $29,511 | Baltimore + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $70,886 | $58,697 | Baltimore + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.6% | 6.0% | South Bend + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 22.6% | Baltimore + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.4% | 29.4% | Baltimore + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baltimore
$191,668
Baltimore +
South Bend
$194,972
Homeownership Rate
Baltimore
47.5%
South Bend
58.8%
South Bend +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $191,668 | $194,972 | Baltimore + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.5% | 58.8% | South Bend + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
433
South Bend
370
South Bend +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
1724
South Bend
1719
South Bend +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 370 | South Bend + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1724 | 1719 | South Bend + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
38.1%
Baltimore +
South Bend
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
14.4%
Baltimore +
South Bend
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baltimore
18.6%
Baltimore +
South Bend
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
10.4%
Baltimore +
South Bend
12.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.0%
South Bend
15.3%
South Bend +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.1%
Baltimore +
South Bend
18.2%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.1% | 39.7% | Baltimore + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 15.2% | Baltimore + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 20.3% | Baltimore + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 12.6% | Baltimore + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 15.3% | South Bend + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 18.2% | Baltimore + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
55.1°F
South Bend
49.8°F
South Bend +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
41.9 in
South Bend
38.0 in
South Bend +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.1°F | 49.8°F | South Bend + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.9 in | 38.0 in | South Bend + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baltimore
7.6 µg/m³
Baltimore +
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baltimore
75.0%
Baltimore +
South Bend
55.0%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Baltimore + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Baltimore + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baltimore
31.6 min
South Bend
21.6 min
South Bend +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 21.6 min | South Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
Baltimore leads in median household income at $59,623, while baltimore offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $191,668. On public safety, South Bend is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 433 in Baltimore. South Bend has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Baltimore has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Baltimore scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.1%.
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