Philadelphia PA 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)
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
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
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
South Bend
102,866
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Philadelphia
N/A
South Bend
N/A
Median Age
Philadelphia
35.1
South Bend
33.9
South Bend +
Foreign Born
Philadelphia
14.6%
Philadelphia +
South Bend
8.9%
White
Philadelphia
36.1%
South Bend
54.1%
South Bend +
Black
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
South Bend
24.4%
Asian
Philadelphia
7.8%
Philadelphia +
South Bend
1.7%
Hispanic
Philadelphia
15.2%
South Bend
17.3%
South Bend +
Spanish at Home
Philadelphia
N/A
South Bend
N/A
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,582,432 | 102,866 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 33.9 | South Bend + |
| Foreign Born | 14.6% | 8.9% | Philadelphia + |
| White | 36.1% | 54.1% | South Bend + |
| Black | 39.9% | 24.4% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 1.7% | Philadelphia + |
| Hispanic | 15.2% | 17.3% | South Bend + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Philadelphia
$60,698
Philadelphia +
South Bend
$52,512
Per Capita Income
Philadelphia
$37,669
Philadelphia +
South Bend
$29,511
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Philadelphia
$65,080
Philadelphia +
South Bend
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Philadelphia
8.4%
South Bend
6.0%
South Bend +
Poverty Rate
Philadelphia
22.0%
Philadelphia +
South Bend
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Philadelphia
34.6%
Philadelphia +
South Bend
29.4%
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,698 | $52,512 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,669 | $29,511 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $58,697 | Philadelphia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.4% | 6.0% | South Bend + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.0% | 22.6% | Philadelphia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.6% | 29.4% | Philadelphia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Philadelphia
$233,814
South Bend
$194,972
South Bend +
Homeownership Rate
Philadelphia
52.3%
South Bend
58.8%
South Bend +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $233,814 | $194,972 | South Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.3% | 58.8% | South Bend + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Philadelphia
319
Philadelphia +
South Bend
370
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Philadelphia
1613
Philadelphia +
South Bend
1719
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 370 | Philadelphia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 1719 | Philadelphia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
South Bend
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
South Bend
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Philadelphia
N/A
South Bend
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
South Bend
12.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
South Bend
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
South Bend
18.2%
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 39.7% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.2% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 20.3% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.6% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.3% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 18.2% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Philadelphia
57.1°F
South Bend
49.8°F
South Bend +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Philadelphia
48.5 in
South Bend
38.0 in
South Bend +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.1°F | 49.8°F | South Bend + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.5 in | 38.0 in | South Bend + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Philadelphia +
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Philadelphia
55.0%
South Bend
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Philadelphia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Philadelphia
34.5 min
South Bend
21.6 min
South Bend +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.5 min | 21.6 min | South Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
Philadelphia leads in median household income at $60,698, while south Bend offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $194,972. On public safety, Philadelphia is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in South Bend. South Bend has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Philadelphia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.8 µg/m³).
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