Jersey City 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)
Jersey City, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 289,691
- Median HH Income$94,813
- Median Home Price$664,939
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+53.1%
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
Jersey City
289,691
Jersey City +
South Bend
102,866
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jersey City
N/A
South Bend
N/A
Median Age
Jersey City
34.7
South Bend
33.9
South Bend +
Foreign Born
Jersey City
41.3%
Jersey City +
South Bend
8.9%
White
Jersey City
28.7%
South Bend
54.1%
South Bend +
Black
Jersey City
21.4%
South Bend
24.4%
South Bend +
Asian
Jersey City
25.8%
Jersey City +
South Bend
1.7%
Hispanic
Jersey City
25.7%
Jersey City +
South Bend
17.3%
Spanish at Home
Jersey City
N/A
South Bend
N/A
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,691 | 102,866 | Jersey City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 33.9 | South Bend + |
| Foreign Born | 41.3% | 8.9% | Jersey City + |
| White | 28.7% | 54.1% | South Bend + |
| Black | 21.4% | 24.4% | South Bend + |
| Asian | 25.8% | 1.7% | Jersey City + |
| Hispanic | 25.7% | 17.3% | Jersey City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jersey City
$94,813
Jersey City +
South Bend
$52,512
Per Capita Income
Jersey City
$57,746
Jersey City +
South Bend
$29,511
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jersey City
$77,416
Jersey City +
South Bend
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Jersey City
5.8%
Jersey City +
South Bend
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Jersey City
15.6%
Jersey City +
South Bend
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Jersey City
53.1%
Jersey City +
South Bend
29.4%
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,813 | $52,512 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,746 | $29,511 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $58,697 | Jersey City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 6.0% | Jersey City + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 22.6% | Jersey City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 53.1% | 29.4% | Jersey City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jersey City
$664,939
South Bend
$194,972
South Bend +
Homeownership Rate
Jersey City
28.8%
South Bend
58.8%
South Bend +
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $664,939 | $194,972 | South Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 28.8% | 58.8% | South Bend + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jersey City
218
Jersey City +
South Bend
370
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jersey City
1426
Jersey City +
South Bend
1719
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 370 | Jersey City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 1719 | Jersey City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
26.2%
Jersey City +
South Bend
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
9.6%
Jersey City +
South Bend
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jersey City
14.9%
Jersey City +
South Bend
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
12.0%
Jersey City +
South Bend
12.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
16.3%
South Bend
15.3%
South Bend +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
10.3%
Jersey City +
South Bend
18.2%
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.2% | 39.7% | Jersey City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 15.2% | Jersey City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.9% | 20.3% | Jersey City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 12.6% | Jersey City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 15.3% | South Bend + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 18.2% | Jersey City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jersey City
N/A
South Bend
49.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jersey City
N/A
South Bend
38.0 in
| Metric | Jersey City, 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.)
Jersey City
8.7 µg/m³
Jersey City +
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jersey City
75.0%
Jersey City +
South Bend
55.0%
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Jersey City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Jersey City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jersey City
40.3 min
South Bend
21.6 min
South Bend +
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 40.3 min | 21.6 min | South Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
Jersey City leads in median household income at $94,813, while south Bend offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $194,972. On public safety, Jersey City is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in South Bend. Jersey City has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Jersey City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Jersey City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
Compare More Cities
Jersey City, NJ vs New York, NYJersey City, NJ vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Jersey City, NJHouston, TX vs Jersey City, NJJersey City, NJ vs Phoenix, AZJersey City, NJ vs Philadelphia, PA