Raleigh NC 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)
Raleigh, NC
North Carolina · Population: 470,763
- Median HH Income$82,424
- Median Home Price$435,807
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+52.9%
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
Raleigh
470,763
Raleigh +
South Bend
102,866
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Raleigh
N/A
South Bend
N/A
Median Age
Raleigh
34.7
South Bend
33.9
South Bend +
Foreign Born
Raleigh
13.6%
Raleigh +
South Bend
8.9%
White
Raleigh
53.8%
South Bend
54.1%
South Bend +
Black
Raleigh
27.5%
Raleigh +
South Bend
24.4%
Asian
Raleigh
4.7%
Raleigh +
South Bend
1.7%
Hispanic
Raleigh
12.7%
South Bend
17.3%
South Bend +
Spanish at Home
Raleigh
N/A
South Bend
N/A
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 470,763 | 102,866 | Raleigh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 33.9 | South Bend + |
| Foreign Born | 13.6% | 8.9% | Raleigh + |
| White | 53.8% | 54.1% | South Bend + |
| Black | 27.5% | 24.4% | Raleigh + |
| Asian | 4.7% | 1.7% | Raleigh + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 17.3% | South Bend + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Raleigh
$82,424
Raleigh +
South Bend
$52,512
Per Capita Income
Raleigh
$49,948
Raleigh +
South Bend
$29,511
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Raleigh
$59,120
Raleigh +
South Bend
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Raleigh
4.5%
Raleigh +
South Bend
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Raleigh
11.4%
Raleigh +
South Bend
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Raleigh
52.9%
Raleigh +
South Bend
29.4%
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $82,424 | $52,512 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,948 | $29,511 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $58,697 | Raleigh + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 6.0% | Raleigh + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.4% | 22.6% | Raleigh + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 52.9% | 29.4% | Raleigh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Raleigh
$435,807
South Bend
$194,972
South Bend +
Homeownership Rate
Raleigh
51.2%
South Bend
58.8%
South Bend +
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $435,807 | $194,972 | South Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.2% | 58.8% | South Bend + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Raleigh
398
South Bend
370
South Bend +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Raleigh
1999
South Bend
1719
South Bend +
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 370 | South Bend + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1719 | South Bend + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
30.9%
Raleigh +
South Bend
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
9.1%
Raleigh +
South Bend
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Raleigh
16.6%
Raleigh +
South Bend
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
9.7%
Raleigh +
South Bend
12.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
15.3%
South Bend
15.3%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
10.5%
Raleigh +
South Bend
18.2%
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.9% | 39.7% | Raleigh + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 15.2% | Raleigh + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.6% | 20.3% | Raleigh + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 12.6% | Raleigh + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 15.3% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 18.2% | Raleigh + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Raleigh
61.1°F
South Bend
49.8°F
South Bend +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Raleigh
46.2 in
South Bend
38.0 in
South Bend +
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.1°F | 49.8°F | South Bend + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.2 in | 38.0 in | South Bend + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Raleigh
8.7 µg/m³
Raleigh +
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Raleigh
75.0%
Raleigh +
South Bend
55.0%
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Raleigh + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Raleigh + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Raleigh
25.1 min
South Bend
21.6 min
South Bend +
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 21.6 min | South Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
Raleigh leads in median household income at $82,424, 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 398 in Raleigh. Raleigh has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Raleigh has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Raleigh scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.9%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Raleigh, NCLos Angeles, CA vs Raleigh, NCChicago, IL vs Raleigh, NCHouston, TX vs Raleigh, NCPhoenix, AZ vs Raleigh, NCPhiladelphia, PA vs Raleigh, NC