Saint Paul MN 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)
Saint Paul, MN
Minnesota · Population: 307,762
- Median HH Income$73,055
- Median Home Price$297,021
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+43.5%
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
Saint Paul
307,762
Saint Paul +
South Bend
102,866
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Saint Paul
N/A
South Bend
N/A
Median Age
Saint Paul
33.5
Saint Paul +
South Bend
33.9
Foreign Born
Saint Paul
18.7%
Saint Paul +
South Bend
8.9%
White
Saint Paul
53.2%
South Bend
54.1%
South Bend +
Black
Saint Paul
16.2%
South Bend
24.4%
South Bend +
Asian
Saint Paul
17.9%
Saint Paul +
South Bend
1.7%
Hispanic
Saint Paul
9.1%
South Bend
17.3%
South Bend +
Spanish at Home
Saint Paul
N/A
South Bend
N/A
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 307,762 | 102,866 | Saint Paul + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 33.9 | Saint Paul + |
| Foreign Born | 18.7% | 8.9% | Saint Paul + |
| White | 53.2% | 54.1% | South Bend + |
| Black | 16.2% | 24.4% | South Bend + |
| Asian | 17.9% | 1.7% | Saint Paul + |
| Hispanic | 9.1% | 17.3% | South Bend + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Saint Paul
$73,055
Saint Paul +
South Bend
$52,512
Per Capita Income
Saint Paul
$41,594
Saint Paul +
South Bend
$29,511
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Saint Paul
$69,467
Saint Paul +
South Bend
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Saint Paul
4.9%
Saint Paul +
South Bend
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Saint Paul
15.8%
Saint Paul +
South Bend
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Saint Paul
43.5%
Saint Paul +
South Bend
29.4%
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,055 | $52,512 | Saint Paul + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,594 | $29,511 | Saint Paul + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,467 | $58,697 | Saint Paul + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 6.0% | Saint Paul + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.8% | 22.6% | Saint Paul + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.5% | 29.4% | Saint Paul + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Saint Paul
$297,021
South Bend
$194,972
South Bend +
Homeownership Rate
Saint Paul
53.2%
South Bend
58.8%
South Bend +
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $297,021 | $194,972 | South Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.2% | 58.8% | South Bend + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Saint Paul
284
Saint Paul +
South Bend
370
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Saint Paul
1992
South Bend
1719
South Bend +
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 284 | 370 | Saint Paul + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1992 | 1719 | South Bend + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Saint Paul
N/A
South Bend
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Saint Paul
N/A
South Bend
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Saint Paul
N/A
South Bend
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Saint Paul
N/A
South Bend
12.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Saint Paul
N/A
South Bend
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Saint Paul
N/A
South Bend
18.2%
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 39.7% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.2% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 20.3% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.6% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.3% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 18.2% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Saint Paul
N/A
South Bend
49.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Saint Paul
N/A
South Bend
38.0 in
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | 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.)
Saint Paul
8.1 µg/m³
Saint Paul +
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Saint Paul
75.0%
Saint Paul +
South Bend
55.0%
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Saint Paul + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Saint Paul + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Saint Paul
24.1 min
South Bend
21.6 min
South Bend +
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 21.6 min | South Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
Saint Paul leads in median household income at $73,055, while south Bend offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $194,972. On public safety, Saint Paul is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in South Bend. Saint Paul has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Saint Paul has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³).
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