Milwaukee 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)
Milwaukee, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 569,756
- Median HH Income$51,888
- Median Home Price$226,456
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+26.6%
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
Milwaukee
569,756
Milwaukee +
South Bend
102,866
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Milwaukee
N/A
South Bend
N/A
Median Age
Milwaukee
32.2
Milwaukee +
South Bend
33.9
Foreign Born
Milwaukee
10.8%
Milwaukee +
South Bend
8.9%
White
Milwaukee
36.5%
South Bend
54.1%
South Bend +
Black
Milwaukee
38.6%
Milwaukee +
South Bend
24.4%
Asian
Milwaukee
4.8%
Milwaukee +
South Bend
1.7%
Hispanic
Milwaukee
20.7%
Milwaukee +
South Bend
17.3%
Spanish at Home
Milwaukee
N/A
South Bend
N/A
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 569,756 | 102,866 | Milwaukee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 33.9 | Milwaukee + |
| Foreign Born | 10.8% | 8.9% | Milwaukee + |
| White | 36.5% | 54.1% | South Bend + |
| Black | 38.6% | 24.4% | Milwaukee + |
| Asian | 4.8% | 1.7% | Milwaukee + |
| Hispanic | 20.7% | 17.3% | Milwaukee + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Milwaukee
$51,888
South Bend
$52,512
South Bend +
Per Capita Income
Milwaukee
$29,679
Milwaukee +
South Bend
$29,511
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Milwaukee
$61,837
Milwaukee +
South Bend
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Milwaukee
5.9%
Milwaukee +
South Bend
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Milwaukee
23.3%
South Bend
22.6%
South Bend +
Bachelor's Degree+
Milwaukee
26.6%
South Bend
29.4%
South Bend +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,888 | $52,512 | South Bend + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,679 | $29,511 | Milwaukee + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,837 | $58,697 | Milwaukee + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 6.0% | Milwaukee + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 22.6% | South Bend + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.6% | 29.4% | South Bend + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Milwaukee
$226,456
South Bend
$194,972
South Bend +
Homeownership Rate
Milwaukee
41.5%
South Bend
58.8%
South Bend +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,456 | $194,972 | South Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.5% | 58.8% | South Bend + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
309
Milwaukee +
South Bend
370
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
1392
Milwaukee +
South Bend
1719
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 309 | 370 | Milwaukee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1392 | 1719 | Milwaukee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
41.8%
South Bend
39.7%
South Bend +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
14.7%
Milwaukee +
South Bend
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Milwaukee
19.1%
Milwaukee +
South Bend
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
14.1%
South Bend
12.6%
South Bend +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
16.3%
South Bend
15.3%
South Bend +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
17.3%
Milwaukee +
South Bend
18.2%
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.8% | 39.7% | South Bend + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 15.2% | Milwaukee + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 20.3% | Milwaukee + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 12.6% | South Bend + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 15.3% | South Bend + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 18.2% | Milwaukee + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Milwaukee +
South Bend
49.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Milwaukee
35.5 in
Milwaukee +
South Bend
38.0 in
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.5°F | 49.8°F | Milwaukee + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.5 in | 38.0 in | Milwaukee + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
9.3 µg/m³
Milwaukee +
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Milwaukee
55.0%
South Bend
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Milwaukee + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Milwaukee
24.1 min
South Bend
21.6 min
South Bend +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 21.6 min | South Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
South Bend leads in median household income at $52,512, while south Bend offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $194,972. On public safety, Milwaukee is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in South Bend. Milwaukee has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Milwaukee has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, South Bend scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.7%.
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