Providence RI 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)
Providence, RI
Rhode Island · Population: 190,214
- Median HH Income$66,772
- Median Home Price$429,449
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+34.7%
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
Providence
190,214
Providence +
South Bend
102,866
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Providence
N/A
South Bend
N/A
Median Age
Providence
32.9
Providence +
South Bend
33.9
Foreign Born
Providence
32.8%
Providence +
South Bend
8.9%
White
Providence
40.7%
South Bend
54.1%
South Bend +
Black
Providence
13.3%
South Bend
24.4%
South Bend +
Asian
Providence
5.9%
Providence +
South Bend
1.7%
Hispanic
Providence
44.3%
Providence +
South Bend
17.3%
Spanish at Home
Providence
N/A
South Bend
N/A
| Metric | Providence, RI | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 190,214 | 102,866 | Providence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 33.9 | Providence + |
| Foreign Born | 32.8% | 8.9% | Providence + |
| White | 40.7% | 54.1% | South Bend + |
| Black | 13.3% | 24.4% | South Bend + |
| Asian | 5.9% | 1.7% | Providence + |
| Hispanic | 44.3% | 17.3% | Providence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Providence
$66,772
Providence +
South Bend
$52,512
Per Capita Income
Providence
$36,694
Providence +
South Bend
$29,511
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Providence
$64,538
Providence +
South Bend
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Providence
7.4%
South Bend
6.0%
South Bend +
Poverty Rate
Providence
20.1%
Providence +
South Bend
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Providence
34.7%
Providence +
South Bend
29.4%
| Metric | Providence, RI | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,772 | $52,512 | Providence + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,694 | $29,511 | Providence + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $64,538 | $58,697 | Providence + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 6.0% | South Bend + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 22.6% | Providence + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.7% | 29.4% | Providence + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Providence
$429,449
South Bend
$194,972
South Bend +
Homeownership Rate
Providence
41.2%
South Bend
58.8%
South Bend +
| Metric | Providence, RI | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $429,449 | $194,972 | South Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 58.8% | South Bend + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Providence
174
Providence +
South Bend
370
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Providence
1303
Providence +
South Bend
1719
| Metric | Providence, RI | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 174 | 370 | Providence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1303 | 1719 | Providence + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Providence
34.4%
Providence +
South Bend
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Providence
11.5%
Providence +
South Bend
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Providence
19.6%
Providence +
South Bend
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Providence
14.6%
South Bend
12.6%
South Bend +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Providence
16.7%
South Bend
15.3%
South Bend +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Providence
12.1%
Providence +
South Bend
18.2%
| Metric | Providence, RI | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 39.7% | Providence + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 15.2% | Providence + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 20.3% | Providence + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 12.6% | South Bend + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 15.3% | South Bend + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 18.2% | Providence + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Providence
N/A
South Bend
49.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Providence
N/A
South Bend
38.0 in
| Metric | Providence, RI | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 49.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 38.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Providence
7.1 µg/m³
Providence +
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Providence
75.0%
Providence +
South Bend
55.0%
| Metric | Providence, RI | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Providence + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Providence + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Providence
27.4 min
South Bend
21.6 min
South Bend +
| Metric | Providence, RI | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.4 min | 21.6 min | South Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
Providence leads in median household income at $66,772, while south Bend offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $194,972. On public safety, Providence is safer with a violent crime rate of 174 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in South Bend. South Bend has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Providence has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Providence scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.4%.
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