Boulder CO 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)
Boulder, CO
Colorado · Population: 106,274
- Median HH Income$85,364
- Median Home Price$970,905
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+76.8%
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
Boulder
106,274
Boulder +
South Bend
102,866
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boulder
N/A
South Bend
N/A
Median Age
Boulder
28.8
Boulder +
South Bend
33.9
Foreign Born
Boulder
10.2%
Boulder +
South Bend
8.9%
White
Boulder
81.8%
Boulder +
South Bend
54.1%
Black
Boulder
1.1%
South Bend
24.4%
South Bend +
Asian
Boulder
5.8%
Boulder +
South Bend
1.7%
Hispanic
Boulder
11.2%
South Bend
17.3%
South Bend +
Spanish at Home
Boulder
N/A
South Bend
N/A
| Metric | Boulder, CO | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,274 | 102,866 | Boulder + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.8 | 33.9 | Boulder + |
| Foreign Born | 10.2% | 8.9% | Boulder + |
| White | 81.8% | 54.1% | Boulder + |
| Black | 1.1% | 24.4% | South Bend + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 1.7% | Boulder + |
| Hispanic | 11.2% | 17.3% | South Bend + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boulder
$85,364
Boulder +
South Bend
$52,512
Per Capita Income
Boulder
$59,450
Boulder +
South Bend
$29,511
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boulder
$76,653
Boulder +
South Bend
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Boulder
6.1%
South Bend
6.0%
South Bend +
Poverty Rate
Boulder
21.8%
Boulder +
South Bend
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Boulder
76.8%
Boulder +
South Bend
29.4%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $85,364 | $52,512 | Boulder + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,450 | $29,511 | Boulder + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $58,697 | Boulder + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 6.0% | South Bend + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.8% | 22.6% | Boulder + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 76.8% | 29.4% | Boulder + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boulder
$970,905
South Bend
$194,972
South Bend +
Homeownership Rate
Boulder
47.9%
South Bend
58.8%
South Bend +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $970,905 | $194,972 | South Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.9% | 58.8% | South Bend + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boulder
512
South Bend
370
South Bend +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boulder
3234
South Bend
1719
South Bend +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 370 | South Bend + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1719 | South Bend + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boulder
16.5%
Boulder +
South Bend
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boulder
5.7%
Boulder +
South Bend
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boulder
17.9%
Boulder +
South Bend
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boulder
8.6%
Boulder +
South Bend
12.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boulder
19.8%
South Bend
15.3%
South Bend +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boulder
9.0%
Boulder +
South Bend
18.2%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 39.7% | Boulder + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 5.7% | 15.2% | Boulder + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 20.3% | Boulder + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 12.6% | Boulder + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 15.3% | South Bend + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 18.2% | Boulder + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boulder
51.6°F
South Bend
49.8°F
South Bend +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boulder
20.7 in
Boulder +
South Bend
38.0 in
| Metric | Boulder, CO | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 49.8°F | South Bend + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.7 in | 38.0 in | Boulder + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boulder
6.2 µg/m³
Boulder +
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boulder
75.0%
Boulder +
South Bend
55.0%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Boulder + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Boulder + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boulder
21.0 min
Boulder +
South Bend
21.6 min
| Metric | Boulder, CO | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.0 min | 21.6 min | Boulder + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boulder leads in median household income at $85,364, 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 512 in Boulder. South Bend has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Boulder has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Boulder scores better with a lower obesity rate of 16.5%.
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