Kansas City KS 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)
Kansas City, KS
Kansas · Population: 154,776
- Median HH Income$59,183
- Median Home Price$202,558
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+20.2%
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
Kansas City
154,776
Kansas City +
South Bend
102,866
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
South Bend
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
34.0
South Bend
33.9
South Bend +
Foreign Born
Kansas City
18.6%
Kansas City +
South Bend
8.9%
White
Kansas City
44.0%
South Bend
54.1%
South Bend +
Black
Kansas City
20.4%
South Bend
24.4%
South Bend +
Asian
Kansas City
5.3%
Kansas City +
South Bend
1.7%
Hispanic
Kansas City
35.0%
Kansas City +
South Bend
17.3%
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
South Bend
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 154,776 | 102,866 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 33.9 | South Bend + |
| Foreign Born | 18.6% | 8.9% | Kansas City + |
| White | 44.0% | 54.1% | South Bend + |
| Black | 20.4% | 24.4% | South Bend + |
| Asian | 5.3% | 1.7% | Kansas City + |
| Hispanic | 35.0% | 17.3% | Kansas City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$59,183
Kansas City +
South Bend
$52,512
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$28,059
South Bend
$29,511
South Bend +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$61,860
Kansas City +
South Bend
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
5.5%
Kansas City +
South Bend
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
17.9%
Kansas City +
South Bend
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
20.2%
South Bend
29.4%
South Bend +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,183 | $52,512 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,059 | $29,511 | South Bend + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,860 | $58,697 | Kansas City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 6.0% | Kansas City + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 22.6% | Kansas City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.2% | 29.4% | South Bend + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$202,558
South Bend
$194,972
South Bend +
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
60.4%
Kansas City +
South Bend
58.8%
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $202,558 | $194,972 | South Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.4% | 58.8% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
449
South Bend
370
South Bend +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2174
South Bend
1719
South Bend +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 449 | 370 | South Bend + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2174 | 1719 | South Bend + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
41.2%
South Bend
39.7%
South Bend +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
14.6%
Kansas City +
South Bend
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
17.6%
Kansas City +
South Bend
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.4%
South Bend
12.6%
South Bend +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.3%
South Bend
15.3%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.3%
South Bend
18.2%
South Bend +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.2% | 39.7% | South Bend + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 15.2% | Kansas City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 20.3% | Kansas City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 12.6% | South Bend + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 15.3% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 18.2% | South Bend + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
N/A
South Bend
49.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.1 in
South Bend
38.0 in
South Bend +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 49.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.1 in | 38.0 in | South Bend + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
8.2 µg/m³
Kansas City +
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
75.0%
Kansas City +
South Bend
55.0%
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Kansas City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Kansas City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kansas City
23.7 min
South Bend
21.6 min
South Bend +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 21.6 min | South Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kansas City leads in median household income at $59,183, 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 449 in Kansas City. Kansas City has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Kansas City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, South Bend scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.7%.
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