New Haven CT 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)
New Haven, CT
Connecticut · Population: 132,893
- Median HH Income$53,771
- Median Home Price$330,564
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+37.7%
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
New Haven
132,893
New Haven +
South Bend
102,866
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Haven
N/A
South Bend
N/A
Median Age
New Haven
31.9
New Haven +
South Bend
33.9
Foreign Born
New Haven
17.7%
New Haven +
South Bend
8.9%
White
New Haven
36.8%
South Bend
54.1%
South Bend +
Black
New Haven
30.6%
New Haven +
South Bend
24.4%
Asian
New Haven
5.2%
New Haven +
South Bend
1.7%
Hispanic
New Haven
31.2%
New Haven +
South Bend
17.3%
Spanish at Home
New Haven
N/A
South Bend
N/A
| Metric | New Haven, CT | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 132,893 | 102,866 | New Haven + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 33.9 | New Haven + |
| Foreign Born | 17.7% | 8.9% | New Haven + |
| White | 36.8% | 54.1% | South Bend + |
| Black | 30.6% | 24.4% | New Haven + |
| Asian | 5.2% | 1.7% | New Haven + |
| Hispanic | 31.2% | 17.3% | New Haven + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Haven
$53,771
New Haven +
South Bend
$52,512
Per Capita Income
New Haven
$34,482
New Haven +
South Bend
$29,511
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Haven
$85,393
New Haven +
South Bend
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
New Haven
7.7%
South Bend
6.0%
South Bend +
Poverty Rate
New Haven
25.0%
South Bend
22.6%
South Bend +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Haven
37.7%
New Haven +
South Bend
29.4%
| Metric | New Haven, CT | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,771 | $52,512 | New Haven + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,482 | $29,511 | New Haven + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $58,697 | New Haven + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.7% | 6.0% | South Bend + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 22.6% | South Bend + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.7% | 29.4% | New Haven + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Haven
$330,564
South Bend
$194,972
South Bend +
Homeownership Rate
New Haven
28.4%
South Bend
58.8%
South Bend +
| Metric | New Haven, CT | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $330,564 | $194,972 | South Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 28.4% | 58.8% | South Bend + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Haven
156
New Haven +
South Bend
370
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Haven
1524
New Haven +
South Bend
1719
| Metric | New Haven, CT | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 156 | 370 | New Haven + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1524 | 1719 | New Haven + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Haven
37.9%
New Haven +
South Bend
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Haven
11.7%
New Haven +
South Bend
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Haven
18.9%
New Haven +
South Bend
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Haven
14.7%
South Bend
12.6%
South Bend +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Haven
14.2%
New Haven +
South Bend
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Haven
13.2%
New Haven +
South Bend
18.2%
| Metric | New Haven, CT | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 39.7% | New Haven + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 15.2% | New Haven + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.9% | 20.3% | New Haven + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 12.6% | South Bend + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 15.3% | New Haven + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 18.2% | New Haven + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Haven
52.2°F
South Bend
49.8°F
South Bend +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Haven
47.1 in
South Bend
38.0 in
South Bend +
| Metric | New Haven, CT | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.2°F | 49.8°F | South Bend + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.1 in | 38.0 in | South Bend + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Haven
7.7 µg/m³
New Haven +
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Haven
75.0%
New Haven +
South Bend
55.0%
| Metric | New Haven, CT | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | New Haven + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | New Haven + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Haven
23.0 min
South Bend
21.6 min
South Bend +
| Metric | New Haven, CT | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.0 min | 21.6 min | South Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
New Haven leads in median household income at $53,771, while south Bend offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $194,972. On public safety, New Haven is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in South Bend. South Bend has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and New Haven has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New Haven scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.9%.
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