Dayton 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)
Dayton, OH
Ohio · Population: 136,741
- Median HH Income$43,454
- Median Home Price$138,867
- Unemployment9.7%
- Bachelor's+20.7%
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
Dayton
136,741
Dayton +
South Bend
102,866
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dayton
N/A
South Bend
N/A
Median Age
Dayton
34.2
South Bend
33.9
South Bend +
Foreign Born
Dayton
5.0%
South Bend
8.9%
South Bend +
White
Dayton
51.3%
South Bend
54.1%
South Bend +
Black
Dayton
38.0%
Dayton +
South Bend
24.4%
Asian
Dayton
1.2%
South Bend
1.7%
South Bend +
Hispanic
Dayton
5.5%
South Bend
17.3%
South Bend +
Spanish at Home
Dayton
N/A
South Bend
N/A
| Metric | Dayton, OH | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,741 | 102,866 | Dayton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 33.9 | South Bend + |
| Foreign Born | 5.0% | 8.9% | South Bend + |
| White | 51.3% | 54.1% | South Bend + |
| Black | 38.0% | 24.4% | Dayton + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 1.7% | South Bend + |
| Hispanic | 5.5% | 17.3% | South Bend + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dayton
$43,454
South Bend
$52,512
South Bend +
Per Capita Income
Dayton
$26,381
South Bend
$29,511
South Bend +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dayton
$58,300
South Bend
$58,697
South Bend +
Unemployment Rate
Dayton
9.7%
South Bend
6.0%
South Bend +
Poverty Rate
Dayton
27.1%
South Bend
22.6%
South Bend +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dayton
20.7%
South Bend
29.4%
South Bend +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,454 | $52,512 | South Bend + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,381 | $29,511 | South Bend + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $58,697 | South Bend + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.7% | 6.0% | South Bend + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.1% | 22.6% | South Bend + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.7% | 29.4% | South Bend + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dayton
$138,867
Dayton +
South Bend
$194,972
Homeownership Rate
Dayton
48.2%
South Bend
58.8%
South Bend +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $138,867 | $194,972 | Dayton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.2% | 58.8% | South Bend + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
319
Dayton +
South Bend
370
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
1866
South Bend
1719
South Bend +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 370 | Dayton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1719 | South Bend + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
42.9%
South Bend
39.7%
South Bend +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
17.6%
South Bend
15.2%
South Bend +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dayton
21.6%
South Bend
20.3%
South Bend +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dayton
11.2%
Dayton +
South Bend
12.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dayton
14.6%
Dayton +
South Bend
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dayton
20.5%
South Bend
18.2%
South Bend +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.9% | 39.7% | South Bend + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 15.2% | South Bend + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.6% | 20.3% | South Bend + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 12.6% | Dayton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 15.3% | Dayton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 20.5% | 18.2% | South Bend + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
54.1°F
South Bend
49.8°F
South Bend +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
40.3 in
South Bend
38.0 in
South Bend +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1°F | 49.8°F | South Bend + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.3 in | 38.0 in | South Bend + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dayton
10.3 µg/m³
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
South Bend +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dayton
55.0%
South Bend
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Dayton, 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
Dayton
22.2 min
South Bend
21.6 min
South Bend +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 21.6 min | South Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
South Bend leads in median household income at $52,512, while dayton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $138,867. On public safety, Dayton 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, South Bend scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.7%.
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