Hartford CT 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)
Hartford, CT
Connecticut · Population: 119,970
- Median HH Income$45,300
- Median Home Price$199,359
- Unemployment10.6%
- Bachelor's+18.3%
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
Hartford
119,970
Hartford +
South Bend
102,866
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hartford
N/A
South Bend
N/A
Median Age
Hartford
33.4
Hartford +
South Bend
33.9
Foreign Born
Hartford
23.0%
Hartford +
South Bend
8.9%
White
Hartford
26.4%
South Bend
54.1%
South Bend +
Black
Hartford
36.1%
Hartford +
South Bend
24.4%
Asian
Hartford
2.3%
Hartford +
South Bend
1.7%
Hispanic
Hartford
44.8%
Hartford +
South Bend
17.3%
Spanish at Home
Hartford
N/A
South Bend
N/A
| Metric | Hartford, CT | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,970 | 102,866 | Hartford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 33.9 | Hartford + |
| Foreign Born | 23.0% | 8.9% | Hartford + |
| White | 26.4% | 54.1% | South Bend + |
| Black | 36.1% | 24.4% | Hartford + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 1.7% | Hartford + |
| Hispanic | 44.8% | 17.3% | Hartford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hartford
$45,300
South Bend
$52,512
South Bend +
Per Capita Income
Hartford
$27,319
South Bend
$29,511
South Bend +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hartford
$85,393
Hartford +
South Bend
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Hartford
10.6%
South Bend
6.0%
South Bend +
Poverty Rate
Hartford
25.5%
South Bend
22.6%
South Bend +
Bachelor's Degree+
Hartford
18.3%
South Bend
29.4%
South Bend +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,300 | $52,512 | South Bend + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,319 | $29,511 | South Bend + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $58,697 | Hartford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.6% | 6.0% | South Bend + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.5% | 22.6% | South Bend + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 18.3% | 29.4% | South Bend + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hartford
$199,359
South Bend
$194,972
South Bend +
Homeownership Rate
Hartford
25.8%
South Bend
58.8%
South Bend +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $199,359 | $194,972 | South Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.8% | 58.8% | South Bend + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hartford
156
Hartford +
South Bend
370
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hartford
1524
Hartford +
South Bend
1719
| Metric | Hartford, CT | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 156 | 370 | Hartford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1524 | 1719 | Hartford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hartford
40.4%
South Bend
39.7%
South Bend +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hartford
15.8%
South Bend
15.2%
South Bend +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hartford
20.8%
South Bend
20.3%
South Bend +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hartford
20.3%
South Bend
12.6%
South Bend +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hartford
13.7%
Hartford +
South Bend
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hartford
16.3%
Hartford +
South Bend
18.2%
| Metric | Hartford, CT | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 39.7% | South Bend + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 15.2% | South Bend + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 20.3% | South Bend + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.3% | 12.6% | South Bend + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 15.3% | Hartford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 18.2% | Hartford + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hartford
50.6°F
South Bend
49.8°F
South Bend +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hartford
45.9 in
South Bend
38.0 in
South Bend +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.6°F | 49.8°F | South Bend + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.9 in | 38.0 in | South Bend + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hartford
7.7 µg/m³
Hartford +
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hartford
75.0%
Hartford +
South Bend
55.0%
| Metric | Hartford, CT | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Hartford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Hartford + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hartford
24.4 min
South Bend
21.6 min
South Bend +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.4 min | 21.6 min | South Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
South Bend leads in median household income at $52,512, while south Bend offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $194,972. On public safety, Hartford is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in South Bend. South Bend has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Hartford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, South Bend scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.7%.
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