Los Angeles CA 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)
Los Angeles, CA
California · Population: 3,857,897
- Median HH Income$80,366
- Median Home Price$956,465
- Unemployment7.9%
- 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
Los Angeles
3,857,897
Los Angeles +
South Bend
102,866
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Los Angeles
N/A
South Bend
N/A
Median Age
Los Angeles
36.9
South Bend
33.9
South Bend +
Foreign Born
Los Angeles
35.8%
Los Angeles +
South Bend
8.9%
White
Los Angeles
37.3%
South Bend
54.1%
South Bend +
Black
Los Angeles
8.5%
South Bend
24.4%
South Bend +
Asian
Los Angeles
12.0%
Los Angeles +
South Bend
1.7%
Hispanic
Los Angeles
47.2%
Los Angeles +
South Bend
17.3%
Spanish at Home
Los Angeles
N/A
South Bend
N/A
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,857,897 | 102,866 | Los Angeles + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 33.9 | South Bend + |
| Foreign Born | 35.8% | 8.9% | Los Angeles + |
| White | 37.3% | 54.1% | South Bend + |
| Black | 8.5% | 24.4% | South Bend + |
| Asian | 12.0% | 1.7% | Los Angeles + |
| Hispanic | 47.2% | 17.3% | Los Angeles + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Los Angeles
$80,366
Los Angeles +
South Bend
$52,512
Per Capita Income
Los Angeles
$46,270
Los Angeles +
South Bend
$29,511
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Los Angeles
$77,230
Los Angeles +
South Bend
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Los Angeles
7.9%
South Bend
6.0%
South Bend +
Poverty Rate
Los Angeles
16.6%
Los Angeles +
South Bend
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Los Angeles
37.8%
Los Angeles +
South Bend
29.4%
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $80,366 | $52,512 | Los Angeles + |
| Per Capita Income | $46,270 | $29,511 | Los Angeles + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $58,697 | Los Angeles + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 6.0% | South Bend + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.6% | 22.6% | Los Angeles + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.8% | 29.4% | Los Angeles + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Los Angeles
$956,465
South Bend
$194,972
South Bend +
Homeownership Rate
Los Angeles
36.3%
South Bend
58.8%
South Bend +
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $956,465 | $194,972 | South Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 36.3% | 58.8% | South Bend + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Los Angeles
503
South Bend
370
South Bend +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Los Angeles
2388
South Bend
1719
South Bend +
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 370 | South Bend + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1719 | South Bend + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
27.3%
Los Angeles +
South Bend
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
11.9%
Los Angeles +
South Bend
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Los Angeles
17.4%
Los Angeles +
South Bend
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
13.2%
South Bend
12.6%
South Bend +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
15.9%
South Bend
15.3%
South Bend +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
11.9%
Los Angeles +
South Bend
18.2%
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.3% | 39.7% | Los Angeles + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 15.2% | Los Angeles + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 20.3% | Los Angeles + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 12.6% | South Bend + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.9% | 15.3% | South Bend + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 18.2% | Los Angeles + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Los Angeles
62.6°F
South Bend
49.8°F
South Bend +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Los Angeles
12.8 in
Los Angeles +
South Bend
38.0 in
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | 49.8°F | South Bend + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.8 in | 38.0 in | Los Angeles + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Los Angeles
7.9 µg/m³
Los Angeles +
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Los Angeles
75.0%
Los Angeles +
South Bend
55.0%
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Los Angeles + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Los Angeles + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Los Angeles
33.8 min
South Bend
21.6 min
South Bend +
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.8 min | 21.6 min | South Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
Los Angeles leads in median household income at $80,366, 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 503 in Los Angeles. South Bend has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Los Angeles has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Los Angeles scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.3%.
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