Renton WA 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)
Renton, WA
Washington · Population: 75,721
- Median HH Income$162,099
- Median Home Price$765,686
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+74.7%
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
Renton
75,721
South Bend
102,866
South Bend +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Renton
N/A
South Bend
N/A
Median Age
Renton
35.0
South Bend
33.9
South Bend +
Foreign Born
Renton
44.4%
Renton +
South Bend
8.9%
White
Renton
48.7%
South Bend
54.1%
South Bend +
Black
Renton
2.2%
South Bend
24.4%
South Bend +
Asian
Renton
39.2%
Renton +
South Bend
1.7%
Hispanic
Renton
6.8%
South Bend
17.3%
South Bend +
Spanish at Home
Renton
N/A
South Bend
N/A
| Metric | Renton, WA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 75,721 | 102,866 | South Bend + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 33.9 | South Bend + |
| Foreign Born | 44.4% | 8.9% | Renton + |
| White | 48.7% | 54.1% | South Bend + |
| Black | 2.2% | 24.4% | South Bend + |
| Asian | 39.2% | 1.7% | Renton + |
| Hispanic | 6.8% | 17.3% | South Bend + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Renton
$162,099
Renton +
South Bend
$52,512
Per Capita Income
Renton
$89,026
Renton +
South Bend
$29,511
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Renton
$76,120
Renton +
South Bend
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Renton
4.1%
Renton +
South Bend
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Renton
5.8%
Renton +
South Bend
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Renton
74.7%
Renton +
South Bend
29.4%
| Metric | Renton, WA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $162,099 | $52,512 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Income | $89,026 | $29,511 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $58,697 | Renton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.1% | 6.0% | Renton + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.8% | 22.6% | Renton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 74.7% | 29.4% | Renton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Renton
$765,686
South Bend
$194,972
South Bend +
Homeownership Rate
Renton
45.2%
South Bend
58.8%
South Bend +
| Metric | Renton, WA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $765,686 | $194,972 | South Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.2% | 58.8% | South Bend + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Renton
383
South Bend
370
South Bend +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Renton
3409
South Bend
1719
South Bend +
| Metric | Renton, WA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 370 | South Bend + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1719 | South Bend + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Renton
24.0%
Renton +
South Bend
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Renton
8.5%
Renton +
South Bend
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Renton
16.0%
Renton +
South Bend
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Renton
9.1%
Renton +
South Bend
12.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Renton
16.1%
South Bend
15.3%
South Bend +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Renton
8.9%
Renton +
South Bend
18.2%
| Metric | Renton, WA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 39.7% | Renton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 15.2% | Renton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 20.3% | Renton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 12.6% | Renton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 15.3% | South Bend + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 18.2% | Renton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Renton
53.2°F
South Bend
49.8°F
South Bend +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Renton
40.1 in
South Bend
38.0 in
South Bend +
| Metric | Renton, WA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.2°F | 49.8°F | South Bend + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.1 in | 38.0 in | South Bend + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Renton
7.5 µg/m³
Renton +
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Renton
75.0%
Renton +
South Bend
55.0%
| Metric | Renton, WA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Renton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Renton + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Renton
25.4 min
South Bend
21.6 min
South Bend +
| Metric | Renton, WA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.4 min | 21.6 min | South Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
Renton leads in median household income at $162,099, 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 383 in Renton. Renton has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Renton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Renton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.0%.
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