San Bernardino 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)
San Bernardino, CA
California · Population: 221,774
- Median HH Income$63,988
- Median Home Price$492,059
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+12.8%
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
San Bernardino
221,774
San Bernardino +
South Bend
102,866
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
San Bernardino
N/A
South Bend
N/A
Median Age
San Bernardino
31.9
San Bernardino +
South Bend
33.9
Foreign Born
San Bernardino
22.9%
San Bernardino +
South Bend
8.9%
White
San Bernardino
27.6%
South Bend
54.1%
South Bend +
Black
San Bernardino
11.8%
South Bend
24.4%
South Bend +
Asian
San Bernardino
4.1%
San Bernardino +
South Bend
1.7%
Hispanic
San Bernardino
69.6%
San Bernardino +
South Bend
17.3%
Spanish at Home
San Bernardino
N/A
South Bend
N/A
| Metric | San Bernardino, CA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 221,774 | 102,866 | San Bernardino + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 33.9 | San Bernardino + |
| Foreign Born | 22.9% | 8.9% | San Bernardino + |
| White | 27.6% | 54.1% | South Bend + |
| Black | 11.8% | 24.4% | South Bend + |
| Asian | 4.1% | 1.7% | San Bernardino + |
| Hispanic | 69.6% | 17.3% | San Bernardino + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
San Bernardino
$63,988
San Bernardino +
South Bend
$52,512
Per Capita Income
San Bernardino
$23,980
South Bend
$29,511
South Bend +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
San Bernardino
$77,230
San Bernardino +
South Bend
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
San Bernardino
6.5%
South Bend
6.0%
South Bend +
Poverty Rate
San Bernardino
19.5%
San Bernardino +
South Bend
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
San Bernardino
12.8%
South Bend
29.4%
South Bend +
| Metric | San Bernardino, CA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,988 | $52,512 | San Bernardino + |
| Per Capita Income | $23,980 | $29,511 | South Bend + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $58,697 | San Bernardino + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 6.0% | South Bend + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.5% | 22.6% | San Bernardino + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 12.8% | 29.4% | South Bend + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
San Bernardino
$492,059
South Bend
$194,972
South Bend +
Homeownership Rate
San Bernardino
48.5%
South Bend
58.8%
South Bend +
| Metric | San Bernardino, CA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $492,059 | $194,972 | South Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.5% | 58.8% | South Bend + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Bernardino
503
South Bend
370
South Bend +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Bernardino
2388
South Bend
1719
South Bend +
| Metric | San Bernardino, 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
San Bernardino
37.1%
San Bernardino +
South Bend
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
San Bernardino
13.6%
San Bernardino +
South Bend
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
San Bernardino
20.0%
San Bernardino +
South Bend
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
San Bernardino
20.2%
South Bend
12.6%
South Bend +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
San Bernardino
15.2%
San Bernardino +
South Bend
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
San Bernardino
15.1%
San Bernardino +
South Bend
18.2%
| Metric | San Bernardino, CA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.1% | 39.7% | San Bernardino + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 15.2% | San Bernardino + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.0% | 20.3% | San Bernardino + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.2% | 12.6% | South Bend + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 15.3% | San Bernardino + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 18.2% | San Bernardino + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Bernardino
N/A
South Bend
49.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Bernardino
N/A
South Bend
38.0 in
| Metric | San Bernardino, CA | 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.)
San Bernardino
7.9 µg/m³
San Bernardino +
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
San Bernardino
75.0%
San Bernardino +
South Bend
55.0%
| Metric | San Bernardino, CA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | San Bernardino + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | San Bernardino + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
San Bernardino
30.7 min
South Bend
21.6 min
South Bend +
| Metric | San Bernardino, CA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.7 min | 21.6 min | South Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Bernardino leads in median household income at $63,988, 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 San Bernardino. South Bend has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and San Bernardino has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Bernardino scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.1%.
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