Fresno CA 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)
Fresno, CA
California · Population: 543,615
- Median HH Income$66,804
- Median Home Price$391,442
- Unemployment8.6%
- Bachelor's+24.9%
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
Fresno
543,615
Fresno +
South Bend
102,866
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fresno
N/A
South Bend
N/A
Median Age
Fresno
32.4
Fresno +
South Bend
33.9
Foreign Born
Fresno
18.9%
Fresno +
South Bend
8.9%
White
Fresno
38.0%
South Bend
54.1%
South Bend +
Black
Fresno
6.7%
South Bend
24.4%
South Bend +
Asian
Fresno
14.2%
Fresno +
South Bend
1.7%
Hispanic
Fresno
50.5%
Fresno +
South Bend
17.3%
Spanish at Home
Fresno
N/A
South Bend
N/A
| Metric | Fresno, CA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 543,615 | 102,866 | Fresno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 33.9 | Fresno + |
| Foreign Born | 18.9% | 8.9% | Fresno + |
| White | 38.0% | 54.1% | South Bend + |
| Black | 6.7% | 24.4% | South Bend + |
| Asian | 14.2% | 1.7% | Fresno + |
| Hispanic | 50.5% | 17.3% | Fresno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fresno
$66,804
Fresno +
South Bend
$52,512
Per Capita Income
Fresno
$31,012
Fresno +
South Bend
$29,511
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fresno
$77,230
Fresno +
South Bend
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Fresno
8.6%
South Bend
6.0%
South Bend +
Poverty Rate
Fresno
20.9%
Fresno +
South Bend
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fresno
24.9%
South Bend
29.4%
South Bend +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,804 | $52,512 | Fresno + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,012 | $29,511 | Fresno + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $58,697 | Fresno + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.6% | 6.0% | South Bend + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.9% | 22.6% | Fresno + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 29.4% | South Bend + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fresno
$391,442
South Bend
$194,972
South Bend +
Homeownership Rate
Fresno
49.7%
South Bend
58.8%
South Bend +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $391,442 | $194,972 | South Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 58.8% | South Bend + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
503
South Bend
370
South Bend +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
2388
South Bend
1719
South Bend +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 370 | South Bend + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1719 | South Bend + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
37.5%
Fresno +
South Bend
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
12.7%
Fresno +
South Bend
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fresno
19.1%
Fresno +
South Bend
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fresno
15.3%
South Bend
12.6%
South Bend +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fresno
14.1%
Fresno +
South Bend
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fresno
13.8%
Fresno +
South Bend
18.2%
| Metric | Fresno, CA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.5% | 39.7% | Fresno + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 15.2% | Fresno + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 20.3% | Fresno + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 12.6% | South Bend + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 15.3% | Fresno + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 18.2% | Fresno + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
64.2°F
South Bend
49.8°F
South Bend +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
12.8 in
Fresno +
South Bend
38.0 in
| Metric | Fresno, CA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.2°F | 49.8°F | South Bend + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.8 in | 38.0 in | Fresno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fresno
7.9 µg/m³
Fresno +
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fresno
75.0%
Fresno +
South Bend
55.0%
| Metric | Fresno, CA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Fresno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Fresno + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fresno
23.7 min
South Bend
21.6 min
South Bend +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 21.6 min | South Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fresno leads in median household income at $66,804, 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 503 in Fresno. South Bend has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Fresno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fresno scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.5%.
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