Montgomery AL 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)
Montgomery, AL
Alabama · Population: 198,440
- Median HH Income$55,687
- Median Home Price$151,721
- Unemployment6.5%
- 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
Montgomery
198,440
Montgomery +
South Bend
102,866
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Montgomery
N/A
South Bend
N/A
Median Age
Montgomery
36.2
South Bend
33.9
South Bend +
Foreign Born
Montgomery
5.5%
South Bend
8.9%
South Bend +
White
Montgomery
27.7%
South Bend
54.1%
South Bend +
Black
Montgomery
63.0%
Montgomery +
South Bend
24.4%
Asian
Montgomery
3.3%
Montgomery +
South Bend
1.7%
Hispanic
Montgomery
4.8%
South Bend
17.3%
South Bend +
Spanish at Home
Montgomery
N/A
South Bend
N/A
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 198,440 | 102,866 | Montgomery + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 33.9 | South Bend + |
| Foreign Born | 5.5% | 8.9% | South Bend + |
| White | 27.7% | 54.1% | South Bend + |
| Black | 63.0% | 24.4% | Montgomery + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 1.7% | Montgomery + |
| Hispanic | 4.8% | 17.3% | South Bend + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Montgomery
$55,687
Montgomery +
South Bend
$52,512
Per Capita Income
Montgomery
$32,068
Montgomery +
South Bend
$29,511
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Montgomery
$51,690
South Bend
$58,697
South Bend +
Unemployment Rate
Montgomery
6.5%
South Bend
6.0%
South Bend +
Poverty Rate
Montgomery
20.9%
Montgomery +
South Bend
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Montgomery
33.5%
Montgomery +
South Bend
29.4%
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,687 | $52,512 | Montgomery + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,068 | $29,511 | Montgomery + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $58,697 | South Bend + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 6.0% | South Bend + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.9% | 22.6% | Montgomery + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.5% | 29.4% | Montgomery + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Montgomery
$151,721
Montgomery +
South Bend
$194,972
Homeownership Rate
Montgomery
54.3%
South Bend
58.8%
South Bend +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $151,721 | $194,972 | Montgomery + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.3% | 58.8% | South Bend + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Montgomery
400
South Bend
370
South Bend +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Montgomery
1734
South Bend
1719
South Bend +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 370 | South Bend + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1719 | South Bend + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
46.4%
South Bend
39.7%
South Bend +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
16.7%
South Bend
15.2%
South Bend +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Montgomery
17.6%
Montgomery +
South Bend
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
11.0%
Montgomery +
South Bend
12.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
12.4%
Montgomery +
South Bend
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
15.3%
Montgomery +
South Bend
18.2%
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.4% | 39.7% | South Bend + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 15.2% | South Bend + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 20.3% | Montgomery + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 12.6% | Montgomery + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 15.3% | Montgomery + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 18.2% | Montgomery + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Montgomery
64.5°F
South Bend
49.8°F
South Bend +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Montgomery
52.8 in
South Bend
38.0 in
South Bend +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.5°F | 49.8°F | South Bend + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.8 in | 38.0 in | South Bend + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Montgomery
8.8 µg/m³
Montgomery +
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Montgomery
75.0%
Montgomery +
South Bend
55.0%
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Montgomery + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Montgomery + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Montgomery
22.0 min
South Bend
21.6 min
South Bend +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 21.6 min | South Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
Montgomery leads in median household income at $55,687, while montgomery offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $151,721. On public safety, South Bend is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Montgomery. South Bend has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Montgomery has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, South Bend scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.7%.
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