Chicago IL 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)
Chicago, IL
Illinois · Population: 2,707,648
- Median HH Income$75,134
- Median Home Price$324,183
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+43.3%
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
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
South Bend
102,866
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chicago
N/A
South Bend
N/A
Median Age
Chicago
35.7
South Bend
33.9
South Bend +
Foreign Born
Chicago
20.7%
Chicago +
South Bend
8.9%
White
Chicago
39.1%
South Bend
54.1%
South Bend +
Black
Chicago
28.4%
Chicago +
South Bend
24.4%
Asian
Chicago
7.1%
Chicago +
South Bend
1.7%
Hispanic
Chicago
29.6%
Chicago +
South Bend
17.3%
Spanish at Home
Chicago
N/A
South Bend
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 102,866 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 33.9 | South Bend + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 8.9% | Chicago + |
| White | 39.1% | 54.1% | South Bend + |
| Black | 28.4% | 24.4% | Chicago + |
| Asian | 7.1% | 1.7% | Chicago + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 17.3% | Chicago + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chicago
$75,134
Chicago +
South Bend
$52,512
Per Capita Income
Chicago
$48,148
Chicago +
South Bend
$29,511
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chicago
$68,110
Chicago +
South Bend
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Chicago
7.9%
South Bend
6.0%
South Bend +
Poverty Rate
Chicago
16.8%
Chicago +
South Bend
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chicago
43.3%
Chicago +
South Bend
29.4%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $75,134 | $52,512 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,148 | $29,511 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $58,697 | Chicago + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 6.0% | South Bend + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 22.6% | Chicago + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.3% | 29.4% | Chicago + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chicago
$324,183
South Bend
$194,972
South Bend +
Homeownership Rate
Chicago
45.5%
South Bend
58.8%
South Bend +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,183 | $194,972 | South Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.5% | 58.8% | South Bend + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
344
Chicago +
South Bend
370
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
1842
South Bend
1719
South Bend +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 370 | Chicago + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1719 | South Bend + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
32.6%
Chicago +
South Bend
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
12.0%
Chicago +
South Bend
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chicago
16.0%
Chicago +
South Bend
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chicago
13.6%
South Bend
12.6%
South Bend +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chicago
19.0%
South Bend
15.3%
South Bend +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chicago
11.9%
Chicago +
South Bend
18.2%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | 39.7% | Chicago + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 15.2% | Chicago + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 20.3% | Chicago + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 12.6% | South Bend + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 15.3% | South Bend + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 18.2% | Chicago + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
49.2°F
Chicago +
South Bend
49.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
37.8 in
Chicago +
South Bend
38.0 in
| Metric | Chicago, IL | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 49.8°F | Chicago + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 38.0 in | Chicago + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chicago
9.4 µg/m³
Chicago +
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chicago
55.0%
South Bend
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chicago, IL | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Chicago + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chicago
36.5 min
South Bend
21.6 min
South Bend +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.5 min | 21.6 min | South Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chicago leads in median household income at $75,134, while south Bend offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $194,972. On public safety, Chicago is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in South Bend. South Bend has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Chicago has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chicago scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.6%.
Compare More Cities
Chicago, IL vs New York, NYChicago, IL vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Houston, TXChicago, IL vs Phoenix, AZChicago, IL vs Philadelphia, PAChicago, IL vs San Antonio, TX