Richmond CA 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)
Richmond, CA
California · Population: 115,396
- Median HH Income$90,038
- Median Home Price$608,357
- Unemployment7.0%
- Bachelor's+32.6%
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
Richmond
115,396
Richmond +
South Bend
102,866
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Richmond
N/A
South Bend
N/A
Median Age
Richmond
37.6
South Bend
33.9
South Bend +
Foreign Born
Richmond
34.5%
Richmond +
South Bend
8.9%
White
Richmond
21.4%
South Bend
54.1%
South Bend +
Black
Richmond
17.3%
South Bend
24.4%
South Bend +
Asian
Richmond
13.1%
Richmond +
South Bend
1.7%
Hispanic
Richmond
46.9%
Richmond +
South Bend
17.3%
Spanish at Home
Richmond
N/A
South Bend
N/A
| Metric | Richmond, CA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,396 | 102,866 | Richmond + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.6 | 33.9 | South Bend + |
| Foreign Born | 34.5% | 8.9% | Richmond + |
| White | 21.4% | 54.1% | South Bend + |
| Black | 17.3% | 24.4% | South Bend + |
| Asian | 13.1% | 1.7% | Richmond + |
| Hispanic | 46.9% | 17.3% | Richmond + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Richmond
$90,038
Richmond +
South Bend
$52,512
Per Capita Income
Richmond
$41,898
Richmond +
South Bend
$29,511
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Richmond
$77,230
Richmond +
South Bend
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Richmond
7.0%
South Bend
6.0%
South Bend +
Poverty Rate
Richmond
13.7%
Richmond +
South Bend
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Richmond
32.6%
Richmond +
South Bend
29.4%
| Metric | Richmond, CA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,038 | $52,512 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,898 | $29,511 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $58,697 | Richmond + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | 6.0% | South Bend + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.7% | 22.6% | Richmond + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.6% | 29.4% | Richmond + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Richmond
$608,357
South Bend
$194,972
South Bend +
Homeownership Rate
Richmond
52.5%
South Bend
58.8%
South Bend +
| Metric | Richmond, CA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $608,357 | $194,972 | South Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.5% | 58.8% | South Bend + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Richmond
503
South Bend
370
South Bend +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Richmond
2388
South Bend
1719
South Bend +
| Metric | Richmond, CA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 370 | South Bend + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1719 | South Bend + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Richmond
32.9%
Richmond +
South Bend
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Richmond
12.9%
Richmond +
South Bend
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Richmond
17.8%
Richmond +
South Bend
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Richmond
13.9%
South Bend
12.6%
South Bend +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Richmond
14.9%
Richmond +
South Bend
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Richmond
11.9%
Richmond +
South Bend
18.2%
| Metric | Richmond, CA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 39.7% | Richmond + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 15.2% | Richmond + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 20.3% | Richmond + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 12.6% | South Bend + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 15.3% | Richmond + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 18.2% | Richmond + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Richmond
58.5°F
South Bend
49.8°F
South Bend +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Richmond
24.9 in
Richmond +
South Bend
38.0 in
| Metric | Richmond, CA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.5°F | 49.8°F | South Bend + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 24.9 in | 38.0 in | Richmond + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Richmond
7.9 µg/m³
Richmond +
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Richmond
75.0%
Richmond +
South Bend
55.0%
| Metric | Richmond, CA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Richmond + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Richmond + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Richmond
37.7 min
South Bend
21.6 min
South Bend +
| Metric | Richmond, CA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 37.7 min | 21.6 min | South Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
Richmond leads in median household income at $90,038, 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 503 in Richmond. South Bend has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Richmond has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Richmond scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.9%.
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