Charlotte NC 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)
Charlotte, NC
North Carolina · Population: 886,283
- Median HH Income$78,438
- Median Home Price$399,070
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+47.4%
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
Charlotte
886,283
Charlotte +
South Bend
102,866
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charlotte
N/A
South Bend
N/A
Median Age
Charlotte
34.4
South Bend
33.9
South Bend +
Foreign Born
Charlotte
18.1%
Charlotte +
South Bend
8.9%
White
Charlotte
41.5%
South Bend
54.1%
South Bend +
Black
Charlotte
34.1%
Charlotte +
South Bend
24.4%
Asian
Charlotte
6.3%
Charlotte +
South Bend
1.7%
Hispanic
Charlotte
17.0%
South Bend
17.3%
South Bend +
Spanish at Home
Charlotte
N/A
South Bend
N/A
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 886,283 | 102,866 | Charlotte + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.4 | 33.9 | South Bend + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 8.9% | Charlotte + |
| White | 41.5% | 54.1% | South Bend + |
| Black | 34.1% | 24.4% | Charlotte + |
| Asian | 6.3% | 1.7% | Charlotte + |
| Hispanic | 17.0% | 17.3% | South Bend + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charlotte
$78,438
Charlotte +
South Bend
$52,512
Per Capita Income
Charlotte
$49,991
Charlotte +
South Bend
$29,511
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charlotte
$59,120
Charlotte +
South Bend
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Charlotte
4.4%
Charlotte +
South Bend
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Charlotte
11.7%
Charlotte +
South Bend
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charlotte
47.4%
Charlotte +
South Bend
29.4%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,438 | $52,512 | Charlotte + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,991 | $29,511 | Charlotte + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $58,697 | Charlotte + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 6.0% | Charlotte + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.7% | 22.6% | Charlotte + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.4% | 29.4% | Charlotte + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charlotte
$399,070
South Bend
$194,972
South Bend +
Homeownership Rate
Charlotte
51.5%
South Bend
58.8%
South Bend +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,070 | $194,972 | South Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.5% | 58.8% | South Bend + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
398
South Bend
370
South Bend +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
1999
South Bend
1719
South Bend +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 370 | South Bend + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1719 | South Bend + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
30.1%
Charlotte +
South Bend
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
10.1%
Charlotte +
South Bend
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charlotte
16.4%
Charlotte +
South Bend
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Charlotte +
South Bend
12.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
15.4%
South Bend
15.3%
South Bend +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Charlotte +
South Bend
18.2%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 39.7% | Charlotte + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.1% | 15.2% | Charlotte + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 20.3% | Charlotte + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 12.6% | Charlotte + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 15.3% | South Bend + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 18.2% | Charlotte + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
59.9°F
South Bend
49.8°F
South Bend +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
41.6 in
South Bend
38.0 in
South Bend +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.9°F | 49.8°F | South Bend + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.6 in | 38.0 in | South Bend + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charlotte
8.7 µg/m³
Charlotte +
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charlotte
75.0%
Charlotte +
South Bend
55.0%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Charlotte + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Charlotte + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charlotte
26.7 min
South Bend
21.6 min
South Bend +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.7 min | 21.6 min | South Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charlotte leads in median household income at $78,438, 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 398 in Charlotte. Charlotte has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Charlotte has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Charlotte scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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