Flint MI 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)
Flint, MI
Michigan · Population: 80,835
- Median HH Income$36,194
- Median Home Price$65,949
- Unemployment17.4%
- Bachelor's+13.1%
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
Flint
80,835
South Bend
102,866
South Bend +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Flint
N/A
South Bend
N/A
Median Age
Flint
36.2
South Bend
33.9
South Bend +
Foreign Born
Flint
2.9%
South Bend
8.9%
South Bend +
White
Flint
34.4%
South Bend
54.1%
South Bend +
Black
Flint
56.6%
Flint +
South Bend
24.4%
Asian
Flint
0.6%
South Bend
1.7%
South Bend +
Hispanic
Flint
4.5%
South Bend
17.3%
South Bend +
Spanish at Home
Flint
N/A
South Bend
N/A
| Metric | Flint, MI | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 80,835 | 102,866 | South Bend + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 33.9 | South Bend + |
| Foreign Born | 2.9% | 8.9% | South Bend + |
| White | 34.4% | 54.1% | South Bend + |
| Black | 56.6% | 24.4% | Flint + |
| Asian | 0.6% | 1.7% | South Bend + |
| Hispanic | 4.5% | 17.3% | South Bend + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Flint
$36,194
South Bend
$52,512
South Bend +
Per Capita Income
Flint
$20,799
South Bend
$29,511
South Bend +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Flint
$58,052
South Bend
$58,697
South Bend +
Unemployment Rate
Flint
17.4%
South Bend
6.0%
South Bend +
Poverty Rate
Flint
34.4%
South Bend
22.6%
South Bend +
Bachelor's Degree+
Flint
13.1%
South Bend
29.4%
South Bend +
| Metric | Flint, MI | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $36,194 | $52,512 | South Bend + |
| Per Capita Income | $20,799 | $29,511 | South Bend + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $58,697 | South Bend + |
| Unemployment Rate | 17.4% | 6.0% | South Bend + |
| Poverty Rate | 34.4% | 22.6% | South Bend + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.1% | 29.4% | South Bend + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Flint
$65,949
Flint +
South Bend
$194,972
Homeownership Rate
Flint
54.9%
South Bend
58.8%
South Bend +
| Metric | Flint, MI | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $65,949 | $194,972 | Flint + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.9% | 58.8% | South Bend + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
471
South Bend
370
South Bend +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
1590
Flint +
South Bend
1719
| Metric | Flint, MI | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 370 | South Bend + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1719 | Flint + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Flint
50.5%
South Bend
39.7%
South Bend +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Flint
19.3%
South Bend
15.2%
South Bend +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Flint
23.5%
South Bend
20.3%
South Bend +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Flint
11.7%
Flint +
South Bend
12.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Flint
12.2%
Flint +
South Bend
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Flint
25.3%
South Bend
18.2%
South Bend +
| Metric | Flint, MI | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 50.5% | 39.7% | South Bend + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.3% | 15.2% | South Bend + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 23.5% | 20.3% | South Bend + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 12.6% | Flint + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 15.3% | Flint + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 25.3% | 18.2% | South Bend + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
47.0°F
Flint +
South Bend
49.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
31.7 in
Flint +
South Bend
38.0 in
| Metric | Flint, MI | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.0°F | 49.8°F | Flint + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.7 in | 38.0 in | Flint + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Flint
10.7 µg/m³
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
South Bend +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Flint
55.0%
South Bend
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Flint, MI | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | South Bend + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Flint
25.0 min
South Bend
21.6 min
South Bend +
| Metric | Flint, MI | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.0 min | 21.6 min | South Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
South Bend leads in median household income at $52,512, while flint offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $65,949. On public safety, South Bend is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Flint. 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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