Rochester NY 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)
Rochester, NY
New York · Population: 209,720
- Median HH Income$46,628
- Median Home Price$241,627
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
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
Rochester
209,720
Rochester +
South Bend
102,866
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rochester
N/A
South Bend
N/A
Median Age
Rochester
33.5
Rochester +
South Bend
33.9
Foreign Born
Rochester
8.3%
South Bend
8.9%
South Bend +
White
Rochester
41.5%
South Bend
54.1%
South Bend +
Black
Rochester
37.5%
Rochester +
South Bend
24.4%
Asian
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
South Bend
1.7%
Hispanic
Rochester
20.0%
Rochester +
South Bend
17.3%
Spanish at Home
Rochester
N/A
South Bend
N/A
| Metric | Rochester, NY | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,720 | 102,866 | Rochester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 33.9 | Rochester + |
| Foreign Born | 8.3% | 8.9% | South Bend + |
| White | 41.5% | 54.1% | South Bend + |
| Black | 37.5% | 24.4% | Rochester + |
| Asian | 3.2% | 1.7% | Rochester + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 17.3% | Rochester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rochester
$46,628
South Bend
$52,512
South Bend +
Per Capita Income
Rochester
$30,451
Rochester +
South Bend
$29,511
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rochester
$77,425
Rochester +
South Bend
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Rochester
7.9%
South Bend
6.0%
South Bend +
Poverty Rate
Rochester
26.6%
South Bend
22.6%
South Bend +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rochester
29.9%
Rochester +
South Bend
29.4%
| Metric | Rochester, NY | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $46,628 | $52,512 | South Bend + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,451 | $29,511 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $58,697 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 6.0% | South Bend + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.6% | 22.6% | South Bend + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.9% | 29.4% | Rochester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rochester
$241,627
South Bend
$194,972
South Bend +
Homeownership Rate
Rochester
37.2%
South Bend
58.8%
South Bend +
| Metric | Rochester, NY | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,627 | $194,972 | South Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.2% | 58.8% | South Bend + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rochester
434
South Bend
370
South Bend +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rochester
1736
South Bend
1719
South Bend +
| Metric | Rochester, NY | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 370 | South Bend + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1719 | South Bend + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rochester
38.0%
Rochester +
South Bend
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rochester
14.3%
Rochester +
South Bend
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rochester
18.8%
Rochester +
South Bend
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rochester
10.9%
Rochester +
South Bend
12.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rochester
16.3%
South Bend
15.3%
South Bend +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rochester
16.6%
Rochester +
South Bend
18.2%
| Metric | Rochester, NY | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 39.7% | Rochester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 15.2% | Rochester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 20.3% | Rochester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 12.6% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 15.3% | South Bend + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 18.2% | Rochester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rochester
48.2°F
Rochester +
South Bend
49.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rochester
34.3 in
Rochester +
South Bend
38.0 in
| Metric | Rochester, NY | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.2°F | 49.8°F | Rochester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.3 in | 38.0 in | Rochester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Rochester +
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rochester
75.0%
Rochester +
South Bend
55.0%
| Metric | Rochester, NY | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Rochester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Rochester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Rochester
20.6 min
Rochester +
South Bend
21.6 min
| Metric | Rochester, NY | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 21.6 min | Rochester + |
Which City is Right for You?
South Bend leads in median household income at $52,512, 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 434 in Rochester. South Bend has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Rochester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Rochester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.0%.
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