Livonia MI 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)
Livonia, MI
Michigan · Population: 94,058
- Median HH Income$96,317
- Median Home Price$314,705
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+40.5%
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
Livonia
94,058
South Bend
102,866
South Bend +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Livonia
N/A
South Bend
N/A
Median Age
Livonia
45.1
South Bend
33.9
South Bend +
Foreign Born
Livonia
8.2%
South Bend
8.9%
South Bend +
White
Livonia
84.4%
Livonia +
South Bend
54.1%
Black
Livonia
4.4%
South Bend
24.4%
South Bend +
Asian
Livonia
3.7%
Livonia +
South Bend
1.7%
Hispanic
Livonia
4.5%
South Bend
17.3%
South Bend +
Spanish at Home
Livonia
N/A
South Bend
N/A
| Metric | Livonia, MI | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 94,058 | 102,866 | South Bend + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 45.1 | 33.9 | South Bend + |
| Foreign Born | 8.2% | 8.9% | South Bend + |
| White | 84.4% | 54.1% | Livonia + |
| Black | 4.4% | 24.4% | South Bend + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 1.7% | Livonia + |
| Hispanic | 4.5% | 17.3% | South Bend + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Livonia
$96,317
Livonia +
South Bend
$52,512
Per Capita Income
Livonia
$46,588
Livonia +
South Bend
$29,511
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Livonia
$58,052
South Bend
$58,697
South Bend +
Unemployment Rate
Livonia
4.5%
Livonia +
South Bend
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Livonia
4.7%
Livonia +
South Bend
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Livonia
40.5%
Livonia +
South Bend
29.4%
| Metric | Livonia, MI | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $96,317 | $52,512 | Livonia + |
| Per Capita Income | $46,588 | $29,511 | Livonia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $58,697 | South Bend + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 6.0% | Livonia + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.7% | 22.6% | Livonia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.5% | 29.4% | Livonia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Livonia
$314,705
South Bend
$194,972
South Bend +
Homeownership Rate
Livonia
87.5%
Livonia +
South Bend
58.8%
| Metric | Livonia, MI | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $314,705 | $194,972 | South Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 87.5% | 58.8% | Livonia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Livonia
471
South Bend
370
South Bend +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Livonia
1590
Livonia +
South Bend
1719
| Metric | Livonia, MI | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 370 | South Bend + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1719 | Livonia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Livonia
29.2%
Livonia +
South Bend
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Livonia
9.9%
Livonia +
South Bend
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Livonia
16.2%
Livonia +
South Bend
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Livonia
4.7%
Livonia +
South Bend
12.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Livonia
16.8%
South Bend
15.3%
South Bend +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Livonia
11.3%
Livonia +
South Bend
18.2%
| Metric | Livonia, MI | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.2% | 39.7% | Livonia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 15.2% | Livonia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 20.3% | Livonia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 4.7% | 12.6% | Livonia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 15.3% | South Bend + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 18.2% | Livonia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Livonia
N/A
South Bend
49.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Livonia
N/A
South Bend
38.0 in
| Metric | Livonia, MI | 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.)
Livonia
10.7 µg/m³
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
South Bend +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Livonia
55.0%
South Bend
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Livonia, MI | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | South Bend + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Livonia
25.8 min
South Bend
21.6 min
South Bend +
| Metric | Livonia, MI | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 21.6 min | South Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
Livonia leads in median household income at $96,317, 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 471 in Livonia. Livonia has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and South Bend has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 10.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Livonia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.2%.
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