Durham NC 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)
Durham, NC
North Carolina · Population: 288,465
- Median HH Income$79,234
- Median Home Price$399,509
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+55.7%
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
Durham
288,465
Durham +
South Bend
102,866
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Durham
N/A
South Bend
N/A
Median Age
Durham
34.8
South Bend
33.9
South Bend +
Foreign Born
Durham
15.3%
Durham +
South Bend
8.9%
White
Durham
44.0%
South Bend
54.1%
South Bend +
Black
Durham
34.4%
Durham +
South Bend
24.4%
Asian
Durham
5.6%
Durham +
South Bend
1.7%
Hispanic
Durham
14.7%
South Bend
17.3%
South Bend +
Spanish at Home
Durham
N/A
South Bend
N/A
| Metric | Durham, NC | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 288,465 | 102,866 | Durham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 33.9 | South Bend + |
| Foreign Born | 15.3% | 8.9% | Durham + |
| White | 44.0% | 54.1% | South Bend + |
| Black | 34.4% | 24.4% | Durham + |
| Asian | 5.6% | 1.7% | Durham + |
| Hispanic | 14.7% | 17.3% | South Bend + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Durham
$79,234
Durham +
South Bend
$52,512
Per Capita Income
Durham
$47,246
Durham +
South Bend
$29,511
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Durham
$59,120
Durham +
South Bend
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Durham
4.2%
Durham +
South Bend
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Durham
12.2%
Durham +
South Bend
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Durham
55.7%
Durham +
South Bend
29.4%
| Metric | Durham, NC | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,234 | $52,512 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Income | $47,246 | $29,511 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $58,697 | Durham + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 6.0% | Durham + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | 22.6% | Durham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 55.7% | 29.4% | Durham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Durham
$399,509
South Bend
$194,972
South Bend +
Homeownership Rate
Durham
51.8%
South Bend
58.8%
South Bend +
| Metric | Durham, NC | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,509 | $194,972 | South Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.8% | 58.8% | South Bend + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
398
South Bend
370
South Bend +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
1999
South Bend
1719
South Bend +
| Metric | Durham, NC | 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
Durham
36.8%
Durham +
South Bend
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.2%
Durham +
South Bend
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Durham
16.2%
Durham +
South Bend
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.7%
Durham +
South Bend
12.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Durham
15.6%
South Bend
15.3%
South Bend +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Durham
11.2%
Durham +
South Bend
18.2%
| Metric | Durham, NC | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 39.7% | Durham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 15.2% | Durham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 20.3% | Durham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 12.6% | Durham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 15.3% | South Bend + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 18.2% | Durham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
57.9°F
South Bend
49.8°F
South Bend +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
47.8 in
South Bend
38.0 in
South Bend +
| Metric | Durham, NC | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.9°F | 49.8°F | South Bend + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.8 in | 38.0 in | South Bend + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Durham
8.7 µg/m³
Durham +
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Durham
75.0%
Durham +
South Bend
55.0%
| Metric | Durham, NC | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Durham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Durham + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Durham
24.3 min
South Bend
21.6 min
South Bend +
| Metric | Durham, NC | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 21.6 min | South Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
Durham leads in median household income at $79,234, 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 Durham. Durham has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Durham has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Durham scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
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