Salem OR 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)
Salem, OR
Oregon · Population: 176,666
- Median HH Income$71,900
- Median Home Price$438,754
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+31.4%
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
Salem
176,666
Salem +
South Bend
102,866
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Salem
N/A
South Bend
N/A
Median Age
Salem
35.7
South Bend
33.9
South Bend +
Foreign Born
Salem
12.2%
Salem +
South Bend
8.9%
White
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
South Bend
54.1%
Black
Salem
1.6%
South Bend
24.4%
South Bend +
Asian
Salem
3.5%
Salem +
South Bend
1.7%
Hispanic
Salem
23.4%
Salem +
South Bend
17.3%
Spanish at Home
Salem
N/A
South Bend
N/A
| Metric | Salem, OR | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 176,666 | 102,866 | Salem + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 33.9 | South Bend + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 8.9% | Salem + |
| White | 69.8% | 54.1% | Salem + |
| Black | 1.6% | 24.4% | South Bend + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 1.7% | Salem + |
| Hispanic | 23.4% | 17.3% | Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Salem
$71,900
Salem +
South Bend
$52,512
Per Capita Income
Salem
$36,477
Salem +
South Bend
$29,511
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Salem
$63,691
Salem +
South Bend
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Salem
5.3%
Salem +
South Bend
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Salem
14.7%
Salem +
South Bend
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Salem
31.4%
Salem +
South Bend
29.4%
| Metric | Salem, OR | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,900 | $52,512 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,477 | $29,511 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $58,697 | Salem + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 6.0% | Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.7% | 22.6% | Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.4% | 29.4% | Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Salem
$438,754
South Bend
$194,972
South Bend +
Homeownership Rate
Salem
55.7%
South Bend
58.8%
South Bend +
| Metric | Salem, OR | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $438,754 | $194,972 | South Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.7% | 58.8% | South Bend + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salem
355
Salem +
South Bend
370
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salem
3001
South Bend
1719
South Bend +
| Metric | Salem, OR | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 370 | Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 1719 | South Bend + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Salem
41.4%
South Bend
39.7%
South Bend +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Salem
11.7%
Salem +
South Bend
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Salem
18.8%
Salem +
South Bend
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Salem
11.6%
Salem +
South Bend
12.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Salem
16.2%
South Bend
15.3%
South Bend +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Salem
12.4%
Salem +
South Bend
18.2%
| Metric | Salem, OR | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.4% | 39.7% | South Bend + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 15.2% | Salem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 20.3% | Salem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 12.6% | Salem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 15.3% | South Bend + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 18.2% | Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salem
53.0°F
South Bend
49.8°F
South Bend +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salem
39.7 in
South Bend
38.0 in
South Bend +
| Metric | Salem, OR | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.0°F | 49.8°F | South Bend + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.7 in | 38.0 in | South Bend + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Salem +
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Salem
55.0%
South Bend
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Salem, OR | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Salem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Salem
24.5 min
South Bend
21.6 min
South Bend +
| Metric | Salem, OR | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.5 min | 21.6 min | South Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salem leads in median household income at $71,900, while south Bend offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $194,972. On public safety, Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in South Bend. Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Salem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, South Bend scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.7%.
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