Lexington KY 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)
Lexington, KY
Kentucky · Population: 321,122
- Median HH Income$67,631
- Median Home Price$332,727
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+47.3%
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
Lexington
321,122
Lexington +
South Bend
102,866
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lexington
N/A
South Bend
N/A
Median Age
Lexington
35.2
South Bend
33.9
South Bend +
Foreign Born
Lexington
11.0%
Lexington +
South Bend
8.9%
White
Lexington
69.9%
Lexington +
South Bend
54.1%
Black
Lexington
14.4%
South Bend
24.4%
South Bend +
Asian
Lexington
4.2%
Lexington +
South Bend
1.7%
Hispanic
Lexington
9.2%
South Bend
17.3%
South Bend +
Spanish at Home
Lexington
N/A
South Bend
N/A
| Metric | Lexington, KY | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 321,122 | 102,866 | Lexington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 33.9 | South Bend + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 8.9% | Lexington + |
| White | 69.9% | 54.1% | Lexington + |
| Black | 14.4% | 24.4% | South Bend + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 1.7% | Lexington + |
| Hispanic | 9.2% | 17.3% | South Bend + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lexington
$67,631
Lexington +
South Bend
$52,512
Per Capita Income
Lexington
$42,272
Lexington +
South Bend
$29,511
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lexington
$52,606
South Bend
$58,697
South Bend +
Unemployment Rate
Lexington
5.0%
Lexington +
South Bend
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Lexington
15.7%
Lexington +
South Bend
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lexington
47.3%
Lexington +
South Bend
29.4%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,631 | $52,512 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,272 | $29,511 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $52,606 | $58,697 | South Bend + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 6.0% | Lexington + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% | 22.6% | Lexington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.3% | 29.4% | Lexington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lexington
$332,727
South Bend
$194,972
South Bend +
Homeownership Rate
Lexington
53.6%
South Bend
58.8%
South Bend +
| Metric | Lexington, KY | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $332,727 | $194,972 | South Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.6% | 58.8% | South Bend + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lexington
223
Lexington +
South Bend
370
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lexington
1505
Lexington +
South Bend
1719
| Metric | Lexington, KY | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 223 | 370 | Lexington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1505 | 1719 | Lexington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
South Bend
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
South Bend
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lexington
N/A
South Bend
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
South Bend
12.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
South Bend
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
South Bend
18.2%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 39.7% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.2% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 20.3% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.6% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.3% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 18.2% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lexington
55.6°F
South Bend
49.8°F
South Bend +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lexington
45.2 in
South Bend
38.0 in
South Bend +
| Metric | Lexington, KY | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.6°F | 49.8°F | South Bend + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.2 in | 38.0 in | South Bend + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lexington
8.6 µg/m³
Lexington +
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lexington
75.0%
Lexington +
South Bend
55.0%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Lexington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Lexington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lexington
22.5 min
South Bend
21.6 min
South Bend +
| Metric | Lexington, KY | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.5 min | 21.6 min | South Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lexington leads in median household income at $67,631, while south Bend offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $194,972. On public safety, Lexington is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in South Bend. Lexington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Lexington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³).
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