Madison WI 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)
Madison, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 275,568
- Median HH Income$76,983
- Median Home Price$429,253
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
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
Madison
275,568
Madison +
South Bend
102,866
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Madison
N/A
South Bend
N/A
Median Age
Madison
31.8
Madison +
South Bend
33.9
Foreign Born
Madison
11.6%
Madison +
South Bend
8.9%
White
Madison
73.0%
Madison +
South Bend
54.1%
Black
Madison
7.1%
South Bend
24.4%
South Bend +
Asian
Madison
8.0%
Madison +
South Bend
1.7%
Hispanic
Madison
9.3%
South Bend
17.3%
South Bend +
Spanish at Home
Madison
N/A
South Bend
N/A
| Metric | Madison, WI | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 275,568 | 102,866 | Madison + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 33.9 | Madison + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 8.9% | Madison + |
| White | 73.0% | 54.1% | Madison + |
| Black | 7.1% | 24.4% | South Bend + |
| Asian | 8.0% | 1.7% | Madison + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 17.3% | South Bend + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Madison
$76,983
Madison +
South Bend
$52,512
Per Capita Income
Madison
$48,557
Madison +
South Bend
$29,511
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Madison
$61,837
Madison +
South Bend
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Madison
2.7%
Madison +
South Bend
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Madison
16.2%
Madison +
South Bend
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Madison
59.2%
Madison +
South Bend
29.4%
| Metric | Madison, WI | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,983 | $52,512 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,557 | $29,511 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,837 | $58,697 | Madison + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 6.0% | Madison + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.2% | 22.6% | Madison + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.2% | 29.4% | Madison + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Madison
$429,253
South Bend
$194,972
South Bend +
Homeownership Rate
Madison
46.6%
South Bend
58.8%
South Bend +
| Metric | Madison, WI | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $429,253 | $194,972 | South Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% | 58.8% | South Bend + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Madison
309
Madison +
South Bend
370
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Madison
1392
Madison +
South Bend
1719
| Metric | Madison, WI | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 309 | 370 | Madison + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1392 | 1719 | Madison + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Madison
32.7%
Madison +
South Bend
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Madison
7.4%
Madison +
South Bend
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Madison
16.5%
Madison +
South Bend
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Madison
7.9%
Madison +
South Bend
12.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Madison
20.8%
South Bend
15.3%
South Bend +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Madison
10.2%
Madison +
South Bend
18.2%
| Metric | Madison, WI | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.7% | 39.7% | Madison + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 15.2% | Madison + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.5% | 20.3% | Madison + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.9% | 12.6% | Madison + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.8% | 15.3% | South Bend + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 18.2% | Madison + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Madison
46.7°F
Madison +
South Bend
49.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Madison
37.3 in
Madison +
South Bend
38.0 in
| Metric | Madison, WI | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.7°F | 49.8°F | Madison + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.3 in | 38.0 in | Madison + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Madison
9.3 µg/m³
Madison +
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Madison
55.0%
South Bend
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Madison, WI | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Madison + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Madison
21.2 min
Madison +
South Bend
21.6 min
| Metric | Madison, WI | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.2 min | 21.6 min | Madison + |
Which City is Right for You?
Madison leads in median household income at $76,983, while south Bend offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $194,972. On public safety, Madison is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in South Bend. Madison has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Madison has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Madison scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.7%.
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