Elizabeth NJ 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)
Elizabeth, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 135,887
- Median HH Income$63,874
- Median Home Price$531,592
- Unemployment6.9%
- Bachelor's+14.2%
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
Elizabeth
135,887
Elizabeth +
South Bend
102,866
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elizabeth
N/A
South Bend
N/A
Median Age
Elizabeth
35.8
South Bend
33.9
South Bend +
Foreign Born
Elizabeth
50.6%
Elizabeth +
South Bend
8.9%
White
Elizabeth
24.8%
South Bend
54.1%
South Bend +
Black
Elizabeth
17.1%
South Bend
24.4%
South Bend +
Asian
Elizabeth
1.8%
Elizabeth +
South Bend
1.7%
Hispanic
Elizabeth
66.8%
Elizabeth +
South Bend
17.3%
Spanish at Home
Elizabeth
N/A
South Bend
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | 102,866 | Elizabeth + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 33.9 | South Bend + |
| Foreign Born | 50.6% | 8.9% | Elizabeth + |
| White | 24.8% | 54.1% | South Bend + |
| Black | 17.1% | 24.4% | South Bend + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 1.7% | Elizabeth + |
| Hispanic | 66.8% | 17.3% | Elizabeth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elizabeth
$63,874
Elizabeth +
South Bend
$52,512
Per Capita Income
Elizabeth
$28,490
South Bend
$29,511
South Bend +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elizabeth
$77,416
Elizabeth +
South Bend
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Elizabeth
6.9%
South Bend
6.0%
South Bend +
Poverty Rate
Elizabeth
15.3%
Elizabeth +
South Bend
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elizabeth
14.2%
South Bend
29.4%
South Bend +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,874 | $52,512 | Elizabeth + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,490 | $29,511 | South Bend + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $58,697 | Elizabeth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9% | 6.0% | South Bend + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 22.6% | Elizabeth + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.2% | 29.4% | South Bend + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elizabeth
$531,592
South Bend
$194,972
South Bend +
Homeownership Rate
Elizabeth
25.4%
South Bend
58.8%
South Bend +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,592 | $194,972 | South Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.4% | 58.8% | South Bend + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
218
Elizabeth +
South Bend
370
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
1426
Elizabeth +
South Bend
1719
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 370 | Elizabeth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 1719 | Elizabeth + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
34.8%
Elizabeth +
South Bend
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
13.7%
Elizabeth +
South Bend
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elizabeth
17.8%
Elizabeth +
South Bend
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
28.1%
South Bend
12.6%
South Bend +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
14.9%
Elizabeth +
South Bend
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
15.0%
Elizabeth +
South Bend
18.2%
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.8% | 39.7% | Elizabeth + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 15.2% | Elizabeth + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 20.3% | Elizabeth + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 28.1% | 12.6% | South Bend + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 15.3% | Elizabeth + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 18.2% | Elizabeth + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
South Bend
49.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
South Bend
38.0 in
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 49.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 38.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
8.7 µg/m³
Elizabeth +
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elizabeth
75.0%
Elizabeth +
South Bend
55.0%
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Elizabeth + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Elizabeth + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elizabeth
29.3 min
South Bend
21.6 min
South Bend +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.3 min | 21.6 min | South Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elizabeth leads in median household income at $63,874, while south Bend offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $194,972. On public safety, Elizabeth is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in South Bend. South Bend has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Elizabeth has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Elizabeth scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.8%.
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