New York NY 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 York, NY
New York · Population: 8,516,202
- Median HH Income$79,713
- Median Home Price$816,078
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+41.0%
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 York
8,516,202
New York +
South Bend
102,866
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New York
N/A
South Bend
N/A
Median Age
New York
38.0
South Bend
33.9
South Bend +
Foreign Born
New York
36.5%
New York +
South Bend
8.9%
White
New York
35.9%
South Bend
54.1%
South Bend +
Black
New York
22.7%
South Bend
24.4%
South Bend +
Asian
New York
14.6%
New York +
South Bend
1.7%
Hispanic
New York
28.4%
New York +
South Bend
17.3%
Spanish at Home
New York
N/A
South Bend
N/A
| Metric | New York, NY | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 8,516,202 | 102,866 | New York + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 33.9 | South Bend + |
| Foreign Born | 36.5% | 8.9% | New York + |
| White | 35.9% | 54.1% | South Bend + |
| Black | 22.7% | 24.4% | South Bend + |
| Asian | 14.6% | 1.7% | New York + |
| Hispanic | 28.4% | 17.3% | New York + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New York
$79,713
New York +
South Bend
$52,512
Per Capita Income
New York
$50,776
New York +
South Bend
$29,511
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New York
$77,425
New York +
South Bend
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
New York
7.7%
South Bend
6.0%
South Bend +
Poverty Rate
New York
17.4%
New York +
South Bend
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
New York
41.0%
New York +
South Bend
29.4%
| Metric | New York, NY | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,713 | $52,512 | New York + |
| Per Capita Income | $50,776 | $29,511 | New York + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $58,697 | New York + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.7% | 6.0% | South Bend + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.4% | 22.6% | New York + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.0% | 29.4% | New York + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New York
$816,078
South Bend
$194,972
South Bend +
Homeownership Rate
New York
32.8%
South Bend
58.8%
South Bend +
| Metric | New York, NY | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $816,078 | $194,972 | South Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 32.8% | 58.8% | South Bend + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New York
434
South Bend
370
South Bend +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New York
1736
South Bend
1719
South Bend +
| Metric | New York, NY | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 370 | South Bend + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1719 | South Bend + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New York
25.1%
New York +
South Bend
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New York
11.9%
New York +
South Bend
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New York
15.4%
New York +
South Bend
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New York
10.6%
New York +
South Bend
12.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New York
16.9%
South Bend
15.3%
South Bend +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New York
11.4%
New York +
South Bend
18.2%
| Metric | New York, NY | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.1% | 39.7% | New York + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 15.2% | New York + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.4% | 20.3% | New York + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 12.6% | New York + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 15.3% | South Bend + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 18.2% | New York + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New York
55.4°F
South Bend
49.8°F
South Bend +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New York
46.6 in
South Bend
38.0 in
South Bend +
| Metric | New York, NY | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.4°F | 49.8°F | South Bend + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.6 in | 38.0 in | South Bend + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New York
8.1 µg/m³
New York +
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New York
75.0%
New York +
South Bend
55.0%
| Metric | New York, NY | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | New York + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | New York + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New York
44.2 min
South Bend
21.6 min
South Bend +
| Metric | New York, NY | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 44.2 min | 21.6 min | South Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
New York leads in median household income at $79,713, while south Bend offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $194,972. On public safety, South Bend is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in New York. South Bend has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and New York has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New York scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.1%.
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