Boise ID 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)
Boise, ID
Idaho · Population: 235,701
- Median HH Income$81,308
- Median Home Price$504,894
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+46.6%
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
Boise
235,701
Boise +
South Bend
102,866
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boise
N/A
South Bend
N/A
Median Age
Boise
38.2
South Bend
33.9
South Bend +
Foreign Born
Boise
7.2%
South Bend
8.9%
South Bend +
White
Boise
83.6%
Boise +
South Bend
54.1%
Black
Boise
1.4%
South Bend
24.4%
South Bend +
Asian
Boise
3.4%
Boise +
South Bend
1.7%
Hispanic
Boise
9.5%
South Bend
17.3%
South Bend +
Spanish at Home
Boise
N/A
South Bend
N/A
| Metric | Boise, ID | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,701 | 102,866 | Boise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 33.9 | South Bend + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 8.9% | South Bend + |
| White | 83.6% | 54.1% | Boise + |
| Black | 1.4% | 24.4% | South Bend + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 1.7% | Boise + |
| Hispanic | 9.5% | 17.3% | South Bend + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boise
$81,308
Boise +
South Bend
$52,512
Per Capita Income
Boise
$48,274
Boise +
South Bend
$29,511
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boise
$57,074
South Bend
$58,697
South Bend +
Unemployment Rate
Boise
3.8%
Boise +
South Bend
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Boise
10.6%
Boise +
South Bend
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Boise
46.6%
Boise +
South Bend
29.4%
| Metric | Boise, ID | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,308 | $52,512 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,274 | $29,511 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,074 | $58,697 | South Bend + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 6.0% | Boise + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 22.6% | Boise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.6% | 29.4% | Boise + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boise
$504,894
South Bend
$194,972
South Bend +
Homeownership Rate
Boise
63.0%
Boise +
South Bend
58.8%
| Metric | Boise, ID | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $504,894 | $194,972 | South Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.0% | 58.8% | Boise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
251
Boise +
South Bend
370
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
958
Boise +
South Bend
1719
| Metric | Boise, ID | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 251 | 370 | Boise + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 958 | 1719 | Boise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
South Bend
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
South Bend
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boise
N/A
South Bend
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
South Bend
12.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
South Bend
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
South Bend
18.2%
| Metric | Boise, ID | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 39.7% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.2% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 20.3% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.6% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.3% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 18.2% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
49.9°F
South Bend
49.8°F
South Bend +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
18.6 in
Boise +
South Bend
38.0 in
| Metric | Boise, ID | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 49.8°F | South Bend + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.6 in | 38.0 in | Boise + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boise
7.7 µg/m³
Boise +
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boise
75.0%
Boise +
South Bend
55.0%
| Metric | Boise, ID | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Boise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Boise + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boise
20.4 min
Boise +
South Bend
21.6 min
| Metric | Boise, ID | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 21.6 min | Boise + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boise leads in median household income at $81,308, while south Bend offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $194,972. On public safety, Boise is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in South Bend. Boise has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Boise has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³).
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