Columbia SC 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)
Columbia, SC
South Carolina · Population: 138,019
- Median HH Income$55,653
- Median Home Price$229,993
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+46.1%
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
Columbia
138,019
Columbia +
South Bend
102,866
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
South Bend
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
South Bend
33.9
Foreign Born
Columbia
5.1%
South Bend
8.9%
South Bend +
White
Columbia
49.9%
South Bend
54.1%
South Bend +
Black
Columbia
39.5%
Columbia +
South Bend
24.4%
Asian
Columbia
2.7%
Columbia +
South Bend
1.7%
Hispanic
Columbia
5.7%
South Bend
17.3%
South Bend +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
South Bend
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,019 | 102,866 | Columbia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 33.9 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 5.1% | 8.9% | South Bend + |
| White | 49.9% | 54.1% | South Bend + |
| Black | 39.5% | 24.4% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 1.7% | Columbia + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 17.3% | South Bend + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$55,653
Columbia +
South Bend
$52,512
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$38,087
Columbia +
South Bend
$29,511
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$54,550
South Bend
$58,697
South Bend +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
7.6%
South Bend
6.0%
South Bend +
Poverty Rate
Columbia
23.3%
South Bend
22.6%
South Bend +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
46.1%
Columbia +
South Bend
29.4%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,653 | $52,512 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,087 | $29,511 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $58,697 | South Bend + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 6.0% | South Bend + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 22.6% | South Bend + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.1% | 29.4% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$229,993
South Bend
$194,972
South Bend +
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
47.3%
South Bend
58.8%
South Bend +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $229,993 | $194,972 | South Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.3% | 58.8% | South Bend + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
398
South Bend
370
South Bend +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
1999
South Bend
1719
South Bend +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | 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
Columbia
34.4%
Columbia +
South Bend
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.1%
Columbia +
South Bend
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.2%
Columbia +
South Bend
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.2%
South Bend
12.6%
South Bend +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
17.7%
South Bend
15.3%
South Bend +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.0%
Columbia +
South Bend
18.2%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 39.7% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 15.2% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 20.3% | Columbia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 12.6% | South Bend + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 15.3% | South Bend + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 18.2% | Columbia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
66.7°F
South Bend
49.8°F
South Bend +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
South Bend
38.0 in
South Bend +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.7°F | 49.8°F | South Bend + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 38.0 in | South Bend + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
8.6 µg/m³
Columbia +
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
75.0%
Columbia +
South Bend
55.0%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Columbia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Columbia + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.6 min
Columbia +
South Bend
21.6 min
| Metric | Columbia, SC | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.6 min | 21.6 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Columbia leads in median household income at $55,653, 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 Columbia. South Bend has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Columbia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Columbia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.4%.
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