Kansas City MO 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, MO
Missouri · Population: 508,233
- Median HH Income$67,449
- Median Home Price$253,319
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+37.8%
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
508,233
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
35.7
South Bend
33.9
South Bend +
Foreign Born
Kansas City
8.5%
South Bend
8.9%
South Bend +
White
Kansas City
57.8%
Kansas City +
South Bend
54.1%
Black
Kansas City
25.8%
Kansas City +
South Bend
24.4%
Asian
Kansas City
2.7%
Kansas City +
South Bend
1.7%
Hispanic
Kansas City
12.3%
South Bend
17.3%
South Bend +
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
South Bend
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 508,233 | 102,866 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 33.9 | South Bend + |
| Foreign Born | 8.5% | 8.9% | South Bend + |
| White | 57.8% | 54.1% | Kansas City + |
| Black | 25.8% | 24.4% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 1.7% | Kansas City + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 17.3% | South Bend + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$67,449
Kansas City +
South Bend
$52,512
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$40,112
Kansas City +
South Bend
$29,511
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$58,527
South Bend
$58,697
South Bend +
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
4.7%
Kansas City +
South Bend
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
14.6%
Kansas City +
South Bend
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
37.8%
Kansas City +
South Bend
29.4%
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,449 | $52,512 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,112 | $29,511 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $58,697 | South Bend + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 6.0% | Kansas City + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.6% | 22.6% | Kansas City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.8% | 29.4% | Kansas City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$253,319
South Bend
$194,972
South Bend +
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
54.6%
South Bend
58.8%
South Bend +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $253,319 | $194,972 | South Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 58.8% | South Bend + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
501
South Bend
370
South Bend +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2418
South Bend
1719
South Bend +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 370 | South Bend + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1719 | South Bend + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
38.5%
Kansas City +
South Bend
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
12.0%
Kansas City +
South Bend
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
18.8%
Kansas City +
South Bend
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
10.6%
Kansas City +
South Bend
12.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
16.7%
South Bend
15.3%
South Bend +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.6%
Kansas City +
South Bend
18.2%
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 39.7% | Kansas City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 15.2% | Kansas City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 20.3% | Kansas City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 12.6% | Kansas City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 15.3% | South Bend + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 18.2% | Kansas City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
54.6°F
South Bend
49.8°F
South Bend +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.9 in
South Bend
38.0 in
South Bend +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.6°F | 49.8°F | South Bend + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.9 in | 38.0 in | South Bend + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
9.3 µg/m³
Kansas City +
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
55.0%
South Bend
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Kansas City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kansas City
23.4 min
South Bend
21.6 min
South Bend +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 21.6 min | South Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kansas City leads in median household income at $67,449, 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 501 in Kansas City. Kansas City has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Kansas City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Kansas City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.5%.
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