Des Moines IA 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)
Des Moines, IA
Iowa · Population: 212,464
- Median HH Income$63,966
- Median Home Price$210,703
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+29.0%
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
Des Moines
212,464
Des Moines +
South Bend
102,866
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Des Moines
N/A
South Bend
N/A
Median Age
Des Moines
34.6
South Bend
33.9
South Bend +
Foreign Born
Des Moines
14.0%
Des Moines +
South Bend
8.9%
White
Des Moines
66.9%
Des Moines +
South Bend
54.1%
Black
Des Moines
12.0%
South Bend
24.4%
South Bend +
Asian
Des Moines
6.2%
Des Moines +
South Bend
1.7%
Hispanic
Des Moines
16.0%
South Bend
17.3%
South Bend +
Spanish at Home
Des Moines
N/A
South Bend
N/A
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 102,866 | Des Moines + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 33.9 | South Bend + |
| Foreign Born | 14.0% | 8.9% | Des Moines + |
| White | 66.9% | 54.1% | Des Moines + |
| Black | 12.0% | 24.4% | South Bend + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 1.7% | Des Moines + |
| Hispanic | 16.0% | 17.3% | South Bend + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Des Moines
$63,966
Des Moines +
South Bend
$52,512
Per Capita Income
Des Moines
$36,459
Des Moines +
South Bend
$29,511
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Des Moines
$61,226
Des Moines +
South Bend
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Des Moines
5.8%
Des Moines +
South Bend
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Des Moines
14.9%
Des Moines +
South Bend
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Des Moines
29.0%
South Bend
29.4%
South Bend +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,966 | $52,512 | Des Moines + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,459 | $29,511 | Des Moines + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $58,697 | Des Moines + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 6.0% | Des Moines + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.9% | 22.6% | Des Moines + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.0% | 29.4% | South Bend + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Des Moines
$210,703
South Bend
$194,972
South Bend +
Homeownership Rate
Des Moines
60.5%
Des Moines +
South Bend
58.8%
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,703 | $194,972 | South Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.5% | 58.8% | Des Moines + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
296
Des Moines +
South Bend
370
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
1452
Des Moines +
South Bend
1719
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 370 | Des Moines + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 1719 | Des Moines + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
39.4%
Des Moines +
South Bend
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
11.8%
Des Moines +
South Bend
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Des Moines
19.0%
Des Moines +
South Bend
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
10.6%
Des Moines +
South Bend
12.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
19.8%
South Bend
15.3%
South Bend +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
16.4%
Des Moines +
South Bend
18.2%
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.4% | 39.7% | Des Moines + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 15.2% | Des Moines + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 20.3% | Des Moines + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 12.6% | Des Moines + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 15.3% | South Bend + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 18.2% | Des Moines + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
49.9°F
South Bend
49.8°F
South Bend +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
35.6 in
Des Moines +
South Bend
38.0 in
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 49.8°F | South Bend + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.6 in | 38.0 in | Des Moines + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Des Moines
10.2 µg/m³
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
South Bend +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Des Moines
55.0%
South Bend
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | South Bend + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Des Moines
21.1 min
Des Moines +
South Bend
21.6 min
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 21.6 min | Des Moines + |
Which City is Right for You?
Des Moines leads in median household income at $63,966, while south Bend offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $194,972. On public safety, Des Moines is safer with a violent crime rate of 296 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in South Bend. Des Moines has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and South Bend has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 10.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Des Moines scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.4%.
Compare More Cities
Des Moines, IA vs New York, NYDes Moines, IA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Des Moines, IADes Moines, IA vs Houston, TXDes Moines, IA vs Phoenix, AZDes Moines, IA vs Philadelphia, PA