Birmingham AL 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)
Birmingham, AL
Alabama · Population: 199,322
- Median HH Income$44,376
- Median Home Price$137,201
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+30.7%
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
Birmingham
199,322
Birmingham +
South Bend
102,866
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Birmingham
N/A
South Bend
N/A
Median Age
Birmingham
35.9
South Bend
33.9
South Bend +
Foreign Born
Birmingham
4.4%
South Bend
8.9%
South Bend +
White
Birmingham
25.6%
South Bend
54.1%
South Bend +
Black
Birmingham
67.1%
Birmingham +
South Bend
24.4%
Asian
Birmingham
1.4%
South Bend
1.7%
South Bend +
Hispanic
Birmingham
4.9%
South Bend
17.3%
South Bend +
Spanish at Home
Birmingham
N/A
South Bend
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 102,866 | Birmingham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 33.9 | South Bend + |
| Foreign Born | 4.4% | 8.9% | South Bend + |
| White | 25.6% | 54.1% | South Bend + |
| Black | 67.1% | 24.4% | Birmingham + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 1.7% | South Bend + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 17.3% | South Bend + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Birmingham
$44,376
South Bend
$52,512
South Bend +
Per Capita Income
Birmingham
$31,616
Birmingham +
South Bend
$29,511
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Birmingham
$51,690
South Bend
$58,697
South Bend +
Unemployment Rate
Birmingham
6.1%
South Bend
6.0%
South Bend +
Poverty Rate
Birmingham
25.2%
South Bend
22.6%
South Bend +
Bachelor's Degree+
Birmingham
30.7%
Birmingham +
South Bend
29.4%
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $44,376 | $52,512 | South Bend + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,616 | $29,511 | Birmingham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $58,697 | South Bend + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 6.0% | South Bend + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.2% | 22.6% | South Bend + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.7% | 29.4% | Birmingham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Birmingham
$137,201
Birmingham +
South Bend
$194,972
Homeownership Rate
Birmingham
45.1%
South Bend
58.8%
South Bend +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $137,201 | $194,972 | Birmingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.1% | 58.8% | South Bend + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
400
South Bend
370
South Bend +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
1734
South Bend
1719
South Bend +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 370 | South Bend + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1719 | South Bend + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
42.2%
South Bend
39.7%
South Bend +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
19.2%
South Bend
15.2%
South Bend +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Birmingham
18.5%
Birmingham +
South Bend
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
11.2%
Birmingham +
South Bend
12.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
13.1%
Birmingham +
South Bend
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
16.6%
Birmingham +
South Bend
18.2%
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 39.7% | South Bend + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 15.2% | South Bend + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 20.3% | Birmingham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 12.6% | Birmingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 15.3% | Birmingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 18.2% | Birmingham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
63.3°F
South Bend
49.8°F
South Bend +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
53.7 in
South Bend
38.0 in
South Bend +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.3°F | 49.8°F | South Bend + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.7 in | 38.0 in | South Bend + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Birmingham
8.8 µg/m³
Birmingham +
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Birmingham
75.0%
Birmingham +
South Bend
55.0%
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Birmingham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Birmingham + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Birmingham
23.2 min
South Bend
21.6 min
South Bend +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 21.6 min | South Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
South Bend leads in median household income at $52,512, while birmingham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $137,201. On public safety, South Bend is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Birmingham. South Bend has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Birmingham has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, South Bend scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.7%.
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