Manchester NH 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)
Manchester, NH
New Hampshire · Population: 115,415
- Median HH Income$77,415
- Median Home Price$441,257
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
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
Manchester
115,415
Manchester +
South Bend
102,866
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Manchester
N/A
South Bend
N/A
Median Age
Manchester
37.9
South Bend
33.9
South Bend +
Foreign Born
Manchester
14.8%
Manchester +
South Bend
8.9%
White
Manchester
76.7%
Manchester +
South Bend
54.1%
Black
Manchester
5.3%
South Bend
24.4%
South Bend +
Asian
Manchester
4.6%
Manchester +
South Bend
1.7%
Hispanic
Manchester
13.5%
South Bend
17.3%
South Bend +
Spanish at Home
Manchester
N/A
South Bend
N/A
| Metric | Manchester, NH | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,415 | 102,866 | Manchester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.9 | 33.9 | South Bend + |
| Foreign Born | 14.8% | 8.9% | Manchester + |
| White | 76.7% | 54.1% | Manchester + |
| Black | 5.3% | 24.4% | South Bend + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 1.7% | Manchester + |
| Hispanic | 13.5% | 17.3% | South Bend + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Manchester
$77,415
Manchester +
South Bend
$52,512
Per Capita Income
Manchester
$44,220
Manchester +
South Bend
$29,511
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Manchester
$75,331
Manchester +
South Bend
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Manchester
3.8%
Manchester +
South Bend
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Manchester
10.7%
Manchester +
South Bend
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Manchester
33.5%
Manchester +
South Bend
29.4%
| Metric | Manchester, NH | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,415 | $52,512 | Manchester + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,220 | $29,511 | Manchester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $75,331 | $58,697 | Manchester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 6.0% | Manchester + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.7% | 22.6% | Manchester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.5% | 29.4% | Manchester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Manchester
$441,257
South Bend
$194,972
South Bend +
Homeownership Rate
Manchester
49.3%
South Bend
58.8%
South Bend +
| Metric | Manchester, NH | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $441,257 | $194,972 | South Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.3% | 58.8% | South Bend + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Manchester
134
Manchester +
South Bend
370
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Manchester
1048
Manchester +
South Bend
1719
| Metric | Manchester, NH | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 134 | 370 | Manchester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1048 | 1719 | Manchester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Manchester
35.0%
Manchester +
South Bend
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Manchester
9.4%
Manchester +
South Bend
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Manchester
17.4%
Manchester +
South Bend
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Manchester
9.9%
Manchester +
South Bend
12.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Manchester
16.4%
South Bend
15.3%
South Bend +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Manchester
12.9%
Manchester +
South Bend
18.2%
| Metric | Manchester, NH | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.0% | 39.7% | Manchester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 15.2% | Manchester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 20.3% | Manchester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 12.6% | Manchester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 15.3% | South Bend + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 18.2% | Manchester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Manchester
49.2°F
Manchester +
South Bend
49.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Manchester
44.6 in
South Bend
38.0 in
South Bend +
| Metric | Manchester, NH | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 49.8°F | Manchester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 44.6 in | 38.0 in | South Bend + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Manchester
5.9 µg/m³
Manchester +
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Manchester
75.0%
Manchester +
South Bend
55.0%
| Metric | Manchester, NH | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 5.9 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Manchester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Manchester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Manchester
25.7 min
South Bend
21.6 min
South Bend +
| Metric | Manchester, NH | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.7 min | 21.6 min | South Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
Manchester leads in median household income at $77,415, while south Bend offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $194,972. On public safety, Manchester is safer with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in South Bend. Manchester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Manchester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Manchester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.0%.
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