Portland OR 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)
Portland, OR
Oregon · Population: 642,715
- Median HH Income$88,792
- Median Home Price$538,687
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+53.5%
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
Portland
642,715
Portland +
South Bend
102,866
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Portland
N/A
South Bend
N/A
Median Age
Portland
38.6
South Bend
33.9
South Bend +
Foreign Born
Portland
12.4%
Portland +
South Bend
8.9%
White
Portland
70.1%
Portland +
South Bend
54.1%
Black
Portland
5.8%
South Bend
24.4%
South Bend +
Asian
Portland
8.1%
Portland +
South Bend
1.7%
Hispanic
Portland
11.3%
South Bend
17.3%
South Bend +
Spanish at Home
Portland
N/A
South Bend
N/A
| Metric | Portland, OR | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 642,715 | 102,866 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.6 | 33.9 | South Bend + |
| Foreign Born | 12.4% | 8.9% | Portland + |
| White | 70.1% | 54.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 5.8% | 24.4% | South Bend + |
| Asian | 8.1% | 1.7% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 11.3% | 17.3% | South Bend + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Portland
$88,792
Portland +
South Bend
$52,512
Per Capita Income
Portland
$55,312
Portland +
South Bend
$29,511
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Portland
$63,691
Portland +
South Bend
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Portland
5.5%
Portland +
South Bend
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Portland
12.8%
Portland +
South Bend
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Portland
53.5%
Portland +
South Bend
29.4%
| Metric | Portland, OR | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,792 | $52,512 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $55,312 | $29,511 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $58,697 | Portland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 6.0% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 22.6% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 53.5% | 29.4% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Portland
$538,687
South Bend
$194,972
South Bend +
Homeownership Rate
Portland
52.8%
South Bend
58.8%
South Bend +
| Metric | Portland, OR | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $538,687 | $194,972 | South Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.8% | 58.8% | South Bend + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Portland
355
Portland +
South Bend
370
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Portland
3001
South Bend
1719
South Bend +
| Metric | Portland, OR | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 370 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 1719 | South Bend + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Portland
28.5%
Portland +
South Bend
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Portland
8.9%
Portland +
South Bend
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Portland
18.3%
Portland +
South Bend
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Portland
7.1%
Portland +
South Bend
12.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Portland
17.7%
South Bend
15.3%
South Bend +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Portland
11.7%
Portland +
South Bend
18.2%
| Metric | Portland, OR | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.5% | 39.7% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 15.2% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 20.3% | Portland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.1% | 12.6% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 15.3% | South Bend + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 18.2% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Portland
51.6°F
South Bend
49.8°F
South Bend +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Portland
78.3 in
South Bend
38.0 in
South Bend +
| Metric | Portland, OR | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 49.8°F | South Bend + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 78.3 in | 38.0 in | South Bend + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Portland
9.0 µg/m³
Portland +
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Portland
55.0%
South Bend
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Portland, OR | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Portland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Portland
26.5 min
South Bend
21.6 min
South Bend +
| Metric | Portland, OR | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.5 min | 21.6 min | South Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $88,792, while south Bend offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $194,972. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in South Bend. Portland has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Portland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.5%.
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