Berkeley CA 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)
Berkeley, CA
California · Population: 120,223
- Median HH Income$108,558
- Median Home Price$1,451,222
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+75.0%
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
Berkeley
120,223
Berkeley +
South Bend
102,866
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Berkeley
N/A
South Bend
N/A
Median Age
Berkeley
32.9
Berkeley +
South Bend
33.9
Foreign Born
Berkeley
21.3%
Berkeley +
South Bend
8.9%
White
Berkeley
54.8%
Berkeley +
South Bend
54.1%
Black
Berkeley
7.4%
South Bend
24.4%
South Bend +
Asian
Berkeley
20.7%
Berkeley +
South Bend
1.7%
Hispanic
Berkeley
12.1%
South Bend
17.3%
South Bend +
Spanish at Home
Berkeley
N/A
South Bend
N/A
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 120,223 | 102,866 | Berkeley + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 33.9 | Berkeley + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 8.9% | Berkeley + |
| White | 54.8% | 54.1% | Berkeley + |
| Black | 7.4% | 24.4% | South Bend + |
| Asian | 20.7% | 1.7% | Berkeley + |
| Hispanic | 12.1% | 17.3% | South Bend + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Berkeley
$108,558
Berkeley +
South Bend
$52,512
Per Capita Income
Berkeley
$66,936
Berkeley +
South Bend
$29,511
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Berkeley
$77,230
Berkeley +
South Bend
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Berkeley
6.0%
South Bend
6.0%
South Bend +
Poverty Rate
Berkeley
16.8%
Berkeley +
South Bend
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
South Bend
29.4%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $108,558 | $52,512 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Income | $66,936 | $29,511 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $58,697 | Berkeley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 6.0% | South Bend + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 22.6% | Berkeley + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 75.0% | 29.4% | Berkeley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Berkeley
$1,451,222
South Bend
$194,972
South Bend +
Homeownership Rate
Berkeley
43.3%
South Bend
58.8%
South Bend +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,451,222 | $194,972 | South Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 58.8% | South Bend + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
503
South Bend
370
South Bend +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
2388
South Bend
1719
South Bend +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 370 | South Bend + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1719 | South Bend + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
22.2%
Berkeley +
South Bend
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
South Bend
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Berkeley
18.1%
Berkeley +
South Bend
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
6.1%
Berkeley +
South Bend
12.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
18.1%
South Bend
15.3%
South Bend +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
8.0%
Berkeley +
South Bend
18.2%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 22.2% | 39.7% | Berkeley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 15.2% | Berkeley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.1% | 20.3% | Berkeley + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 12.6% | Berkeley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 15.3% | South Bend + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.0% | 18.2% | Berkeley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
58.1°F
South Bend
49.8°F
South Bend +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
26.7 in
Berkeley +
South Bend
38.0 in
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.1°F | 49.8°F | South Bend + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 26.7 in | 38.0 in | Berkeley + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Berkeley
7.9 µg/m³
Berkeley +
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
South Bend
55.0%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Berkeley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Berkeley + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Berkeley
32.2 min
South Bend
21.6 min
South Bend +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.2 min | 21.6 min | South Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
Berkeley leads in median household income at $108,558, 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 503 in Berkeley. South Bend has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Berkeley has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Berkeley scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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