Cincinnati OH 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)
Cincinnati, OH
Ohio · Population: 309,595
- Median HH Income$51,707
- Median Home Price$252,784
- Unemployment6.8%
- Bachelor's+41.3%
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
Cincinnati
309,595
Cincinnati +
South Bend
102,866
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cincinnati
N/A
South Bend
N/A
Median Age
Cincinnati
33.0
Cincinnati +
South Bend
33.9
Foreign Born
Cincinnati
7.1%
South Bend
8.9%
South Bend +
White
Cincinnati
49.4%
South Bend
54.1%
South Bend +
Black
Cincinnati
38.7%
Cincinnati +
South Bend
24.4%
Asian
Cincinnati
2.8%
Cincinnati +
South Bend
1.7%
Hispanic
Cincinnati
5.4%
South Bend
17.3%
South Bend +
Spanish at Home
Cincinnati
N/A
South Bend
N/A
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 309,595 | 102,866 | Cincinnati + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 33.9 | Cincinnati + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 8.9% | South Bend + |
| White | 49.4% | 54.1% | South Bend + |
| Black | 38.7% | 24.4% | Cincinnati + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 1.7% | Cincinnati + |
| Hispanic | 5.4% | 17.3% | South Bend + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cincinnati
$51,707
South Bend
$52,512
South Bend +
Per Capita Income
Cincinnati
$38,878
Cincinnati +
South Bend
$29,511
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cincinnati
$58,300
South Bend
$58,697
South Bend +
Unemployment Rate
Cincinnati
6.8%
South Bend
6.0%
South Bend +
Poverty Rate
Cincinnati
24.5%
South Bend
22.6%
South Bend +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cincinnati
41.3%
Cincinnati +
South Bend
29.4%
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,707 | $52,512 | South Bend + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,878 | $29,511 | Cincinnati + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $58,697 | South Bend + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 6.0% | South Bend + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.5% | 22.6% | South Bend + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.3% | 29.4% | Cincinnati + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cincinnati
$252,784
South Bend
$194,972
South Bend +
Homeownership Rate
Cincinnati
38.9%
South Bend
58.8%
South Bend +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $252,784 | $194,972 | South Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.9% | 58.8% | South Bend + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
319
Cincinnati +
South Bend
370
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
1866
South Bend
1719
South Bend +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 370 | Cincinnati + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1719 | South Bend + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
38.3%
Cincinnati +
South Bend
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
14.1%
Cincinnati +
South Bend
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cincinnati
19.8%
Cincinnati +
South Bend
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
9.6%
Cincinnati +
South Bend
12.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
17.0%
South Bend
15.3%
South Bend +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
16.1%
Cincinnati +
South Bend
18.2%
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.3% | 39.7% | Cincinnati + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 15.2% | Cincinnati + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 20.3% | Cincinnati + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 12.6% | Cincinnati + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 15.3% | South Bend + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 18.2% | Cincinnati + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
54.2°F
South Bend
49.8°F
South Bend +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
47.7 in
South Bend
38.0 in
South Bend +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.2°F | 49.8°F | South Bend + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7 in | 38.0 in | South Bend + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
10.3 µg/m³
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
South Bend +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cincinnati
55.0%
South Bend
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | South Bend + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cincinnati
24.8 min
South Bend
21.6 min
South Bend +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.8 min | 21.6 min | South Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
South Bend leads in median household income at $52,512, while south Bend offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $194,972. On public safety, Cincinnati is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in South Bend. South Bend has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and South Bend has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 10.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cincinnati scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.3%.
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