Columbus 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)
Columbus, OH
Ohio · Population: 906,480
- Median HH Income$65,327
- Median Home Price$248,749
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+38.2%
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
Columbus
906,480
Columbus +
South Bend
102,866
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
South Bend
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
33.0
Columbus +
South Bend
33.9
Foreign Born
Columbus
14.4%
Columbus +
South Bend
8.9%
White
Columbus
53.3%
South Bend
54.1%
South Bend +
Black
Columbus
29.0%
Columbus +
South Bend
24.4%
Asian
Columbus
5.8%
Columbus +
South Bend
1.7%
Hispanic
Columbus
7.9%
South Bend
17.3%
South Bend +
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
South Bend
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, OH | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 906,480 | 102,866 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 33.9 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 14.4% | 8.9% | Columbus + |
| White | 53.3% | 54.1% | South Bend + |
| Black | 29.0% | 24.4% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 1.7% | Columbus + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 17.3% | South Bend + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$65,327
Columbus +
South Bend
$52,512
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$37,189
Columbus +
South Bend
$29,511
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$58,300
South Bend
$58,697
South Bend +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
5.1%
Columbus +
South Bend
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Columbus
17.8%
Columbus +
South Bend
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
38.2%
Columbus +
South Bend
29.4%
| Metric | Columbus, OH | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,327 | $52,512 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,189 | $29,511 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $58,697 | South Bend + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 6.0% | Columbus + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.8% | 22.6% | Columbus + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.2% | 29.4% | Columbus + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$248,749
South Bend
$194,972
South Bend +
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
44.3%
South Bend
58.8%
South Bend +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,749 | $194,972 | South Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.3% | 58.8% | South Bend + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
319
Columbus +
South Bend
370
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1866
South Bend
1719
South Bend +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 370 | Columbus + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1719 | South Bend + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
34.7%
Columbus +
South Bend
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
11.8%
Columbus +
South Bend
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.8%
Columbus +
South Bend
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
9.7%
Columbus +
South Bend
12.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
18.1%
South Bend
15.3%
South Bend +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.2%
Columbus +
South Bend
18.2%
| Metric | Columbus, OH | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 39.7% | Columbus + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 15.2% | Columbus + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 20.3% | Columbus + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 12.6% | Columbus + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 15.3% | South Bend + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 18.2% | Columbus + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
N/A
South Bend
49.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
40.2 in
South Bend
38.0 in
South Bend +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 49.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.2 in | 38.0 in | South Bend + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
10.3 µg/m³
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
South Bend +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
South Bend
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbus, 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
Columbus
23.4 min
South Bend
21.6 min
South Bend +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 21.6 min | South Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
Columbus leads in median household income at $65,327, while south Bend offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $194,972. On public safety, Columbus is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in South Bend. Columbus has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and South Bend has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 10.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Columbus scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.7%.
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