Lakewood CO 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)
Lakewood, CO
Colorado · Population: 156,309
- Median HH Income$85,789
- Median Home Price$575,076
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+45.3%
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
Lakewood
156,309
Lakewood +
South Bend
102,866
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lakewood
N/A
South Bend
N/A
Median Age
Lakewood
38.0
South Bend
33.9
South Bend +
Foreign Born
Lakewood
8.5%
South Bend
8.9%
South Bend +
White
Lakewood
76.0%
Lakewood +
South Bend
54.1%
Black
Lakewood
1.4%
South Bend
24.4%
South Bend +
Asian
Lakewood
4.1%
Lakewood +
South Bend
1.7%
Hispanic
Lakewood
22.4%
Lakewood +
South Bend
17.3%
Spanish at Home
Lakewood
N/A
South Bend
N/A
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,309 | 102,866 | Lakewood + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 33.9 | South Bend + |
| Foreign Born | 8.5% | 8.9% | South Bend + |
| White | 76.0% | 54.1% | Lakewood + |
| Black | 1.4% | 24.4% | South Bend + |
| Asian | 4.1% | 1.7% | Lakewood + |
| Hispanic | 22.4% | 17.3% | Lakewood + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lakewood
$85,789
Lakewood +
South Bend
$52,512
Per Capita Income
Lakewood
$51,218
Lakewood +
South Bend
$29,511
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lakewood
$76,653
Lakewood +
South Bend
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Lakewood
4.5%
Lakewood +
South Bend
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Lakewood
9.1%
Lakewood +
South Bend
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lakewood
45.3%
Lakewood +
South Bend
29.4%
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $85,789 | $52,512 | Lakewood + |
| Per Capita Income | $51,218 | $29,511 | Lakewood + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $58,697 | Lakewood + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 6.0% | Lakewood + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.1% | 22.6% | Lakewood + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.3% | 29.4% | Lakewood + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lakewood
$575,076
South Bend
$194,972
South Bend +
Homeownership Rate
Lakewood
58.1%
South Bend
58.8%
South Bend +
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $575,076 | $194,972 | South Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 58.8% | South Bend + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakewood
512
South Bend
370
South Bend +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakewood
3234
South Bend
1719
South Bend +
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 370 | South Bend + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1719 | South Bend + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
23.8%
Lakewood +
South Bend
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
8.7%
Lakewood +
South Bend
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lakewood
15.8%
Lakewood +
South Bend
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
10.6%
Lakewood +
South Bend
12.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
19.7%
South Bend
15.3%
South Bend +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
10.7%
Lakewood +
South Bend
18.2%
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.8% | 39.7% | Lakewood + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 15.2% | Lakewood + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.8% | 20.3% | Lakewood + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 12.6% | Lakewood + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 15.3% | South Bend + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 18.2% | Lakewood + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakewood
51.4°F
South Bend
49.8°F
South Bend +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakewood
17.3 in
Lakewood +
South Bend
38.0 in
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.4°F | 49.8°F | South Bend + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.3 in | 38.0 in | Lakewood + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lakewood
6.2 µg/m³
Lakewood +
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lakewood
75.0%
Lakewood +
South Bend
55.0%
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Lakewood + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Lakewood + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lakewood
28.6 min
South Bend
21.6 min
South Bend +
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.6 min | 21.6 min | South Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lakewood leads in median household income at $85,789, 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 512 in Lakewood. Lakewood has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Lakewood has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lakewood scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.8%.
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