Pasadena CA 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)
Pasadena, CA
California · Population: 67,231
- Median HH Income$220,408
- Median Home Price$1,215,642
- Unemployment3.7%
- Bachelor's+82.4%
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
Pasadena
67,231
South Bend
102,866
South Bend +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Pasadena
N/A
South Bend
N/A
Median Age
Pasadena
42.5
South Bend
33.9
South Bend +
Foreign Born
Pasadena
36.3%
Pasadena +
South Bend
8.9%
White
Pasadena
48.4%
South Bend
54.1%
South Bend +
Black
Pasadena
2.2%
South Bend
24.4%
South Bend +
Asian
Pasadena
36.1%
Pasadena +
South Bend
1.7%
Hispanic
Pasadena
7.1%
South Bend
17.3%
South Bend +
Spanish at Home
Pasadena
N/A
South Bend
N/A
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 67,231 | 102,866 | South Bend + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.5 | 33.9 | South Bend + |
| Foreign Born | 36.3% | 8.9% | Pasadena + |
| White | 48.4% | 54.1% | South Bend + |
| Black | 2.2% | 24.4% | South Bend + |
| Asian | 36.1% | 1.7% | Pasadena + |
| Hispanic | 7.1% | 17.3% | South Bend + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Pasadena
$220,408
Pasadena +
South Bend
$52,512
Per Capita Income
Pasadena
$121,565
Pasadena +
South Bend
$29,511
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Pasadena
$77,230
Pasadena +
South Bend
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Pasadena
3.7%
Pasadena +
South Bend
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Pasadena
5.4%
Pasadena +
South Bend
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Pasadena
82.4%
Pasadena +
South Bend
29.4%
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $220,408 | $52,512 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Income | $121,565 | $29,511 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $58,697 | Pasadena + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.7% | 6.0% | Pasadena + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.4% | 22.6% | Pasadena + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 82.4% | 29.4% | Pasadena + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Pasadena
$1,215,642
South Bend
$194,972
South Bend +
Homeownership Rate
Pasadena
54.2%
South Bend
58.8%
South Bend +
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,215,642 | $194,972 | South Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 58.8% | South Bend + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pasadena
503
South Bend
370
South Bend +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pasadena
2388
South Bend
1719
South Bend +
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 370 | South Bend + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1719 | South Bend + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
24.2%
Pasadena +
South Bend
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
10.7%
Pasadena +
South Bend
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Pasadena
14.9%
Pasadena +
South Bend
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
8.2%
Pasadena +
South Bend
12.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
15.4%
South Bend
15.3%
South Bend +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
9.2%
Pasadena +
South Bend
18.2%
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.2% | 39.7% | Pasadena + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 15.2% | Pasadena + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.9% | 20.3% | Pasadena + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 12.6% | Pasadena + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 15.3% | South Bend + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 18.2% | Pasadena + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pasadena
67.0°F
South Bend
49.8°F
South Bend +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pasadena
21.2 in
Pasadena +
South Bend
38.0 in
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.0°F | 49.8°F | South Bend + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 21.2 in | 38.0 in | Pasadena + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Pasadena
7.9 µg/m³
Pasadena +
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Pasadena
75.0%
Pasadena +
South Bend
55.0%
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Pasadena + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Pasadena + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Pasadena
24.8 min
South Bend
21.6 min
South Bend +
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.8 min | 21.6 min | South Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pasadena leads in median household income at $220,408, 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 503 in Pasadena. Pasadena has a lower unemployment rate at 3.7%, and Pasadena has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Pasadena scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.2%.
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