Memphis TN 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)
Memphis, TN
Tennessee · Population: 629,063
- Median HH Income$51,211
- Median Home Price$147,306
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+28.2%
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
Memphis
629,063
Memphis +
South Bend
102,866
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Memphis
N/A
South Bend
N/A
Median Age
Memphis
34.3
South Bend
33.9
South Bend +
Foreign Born
Memphis
7.4%
South Bend
8.9%
South Bend +
White
Memphis
25.0%
South Bend
54.1%
South Bend +
Black
Memphis
62.9%
Memphis +
South Bend
24.4%
Asian
Memphis
1.7%
Memphis +
South Bend
1.7%
Hispanic
Memphis
10.2%
South Bend
17.3%
South Bend +
Spanish at Home
Memphis
N/A
South Bend
N/A
| Metric | Memphis, TN | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 629,063 | 102,866 | Memphis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 33.9 | South Bend + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 8.9% | South Bend + |
| White | 25.0% | 54.1% | South Bend + |
| Black | 62.9% | 24.4% | Memphis + |
| Asian | 1.7% | 1.7% | Memphis + |
| Hispanic | 10.2% | 17.3% | South Bend + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Memphis
$51,211
South Bend
$52,512
South Bend +
Per Capita Income
Memphis
$32,314
Memphis +
South Bend
$29,511
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Memphis
$59,097
Memphis +
South Bend
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Memphis
8.3%
South Bend
6.0%
South Bend +
Poverty Rate
Memphis
22.5%
Memphis +
South Bend
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Memphis
28.2%
South Bend
29.4%
South Bend +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,211 | $52,512 | South Bend + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,314 | $29,511 | Memphis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $58,697 | Memphis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 6.0% | South Bend + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.5% | 22.6% | Memphis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.2% | 29.4% | South Bend + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Memphis
$147,306
Memphis +
South Bend
$194,972
Homeownership Rate
Memphis
46.0%
South Bend
58.8%
South Bend +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $147,306 | $194,972 | Memphis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.0% | 58.8% | South Bend + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Memphis
639
South Bend
370
South Bend +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Memphis
2350
South Bend
1719
South Bend +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 370 | South Bend + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1719 | South Bend + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Memphis
42.1%
South Bend
39.7%
South Bend +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Memphis
17.6%
South Bend
15.2%
South Bend +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Memphis
20.7%
South Bend
20.3%
South Bend +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Memphis
14.9%
South Bend
12.6%
South Bend +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Memphis
13.5%
Memphis +
South Bend
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Memphis
19.9%
South Bend
18.2%
South Bend +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.1% | 39.7% | South Bend + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 15.2% | South Bend + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.7% | 20.3% | South Bend + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 12.6% | South Bend + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 15.3% | Memphis + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.9% | 18.2% | South Bend + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Memphis
60.9°F
South Bend
49.8°F
South Bend +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Memphis
54.9 in
South Bend
38.0 in
South Bend +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | 49.8°F | South Bend + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.9 in | 38.0 in | South Bend + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Memphis
8.9 µg/m³
Memphis +
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Memphis
75.0%
Memphis +
South Bend
55.0%
| Metric | Memphis, TN | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Memphis + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Memphis + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Memphis
22.9 min
South Bend
21.6 min
South Bend +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.9 min | 21.6 min | South Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
South Bend leads in median household income at $52,512, while memphis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $147,306. On public safety, South Bend is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Memphis. South Bend has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Memphis has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, South Bend scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.7%.
Compare More Cities
Memphis, TN vs New York, NYLos Angeles, CA vs Memphis, TNChicago, IL vs Memphis, TNHouston, TX vs Memphis, TNMemphis, TN vs Phoenix, AZMemphis, TN vs Philadelphia, PA