San Francisco 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 Francisco, CA
California · Population: 836,321
- Median HH Income$141,446
- Median Home Price$1,369,171
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+60.1%
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 Francisco
836,321
San Francisco +
South Bend
102,866
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
San Francisco
N/A
South Bend
N/A
Median Age
San Francisco
39.7
South Bend
33.9
South Bend +
Foreign Born
San Francisco
34.2%
San Francisco +
South Bend
8.9%
White
San Francisco
40.5%
South Bend
54.1%
South Bend +
Black
San Francisco
5.1%
South Bend
24.4%
South Bend +
Asian
San Francisco
35.0%
San Francisco +
South Bend
1.7%
Hispanic
San Francisco
15.9%
South Bend
17.3%
South Bend +
Spanish at Home
San Francisco
N/A
South Bend
N/A
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 836,321 | 102,866 | San Francisco + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 33.9 | South Bend + |
| Foreign Born | 34.2% | 8.9% | San Francisco + |
| White | 40.5% | 54.1% | South Bend + |
| Black | 5.1% | 24.4% | South Bend + |
| Asian | 35.0% | 1.7% | San Francisco + |
| Hispanic | 15.9% | 17.3% | South Bend + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
San Francisco
$141,446
San Francisco +
South Bend
$52,512
Per Capita Income
San Francisco
$90,285
San Francisco +
South Bend
$29,511
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
San Francisco
$77,230
San Francisco +
South Bend
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
San Francisco
5.6%
San Francisco +
South Bend
6.0%
Poverty Rate
San Francisco
10.6%
San Francisco +
South Bend
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
San Francisco
60.1%
San Francisco +
South Bend
29.4%
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $141,446 | $52,512 | San Francisco + |
| Per Capita Income | $90,285 | $29,511 | San Francisco + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $58,697 | San Francisco + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 6.0% | San Francisco + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 22.6% | San Francisco + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 60.1% | 29.4% | San Francisco + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
San Francisco
$1,369,171
South Bend
$194,972
South Bend +
Homeownership Rate
San Francisco
38.5%
South Bend
58.8%
South Bend +
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,369,171 | $194,972 | South Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.5% | 58.8% | South Bend + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Francisco
503
South Bend
370
South Bend +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Francisco
2388
South Bend
1719
South Bend +
| Metric | San Francisco, 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 Francisco
17.5%
San Francisco +
South Bend
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
San Francisco
9.7%
San Francisco +
South Bend
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
San Francisco
14.5%
San Francisco +
South Bend
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
San Francisco
6.6%
San Francisco +
South Bend
12.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
San Francisco
19.6%
South Bend
15.3%
South Bend +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
San Francisco
9.1%
San Francisco +
South Bend
18.2%
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 39.7% | San Francisco + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 15.2% | San Francisco + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.5% | 20.3% | San Francisco + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.6% | 12.6% | San Francisco + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 15.3% | South Bend + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 18.2% | San Francisco + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Francisco
55.3°F
South Bend
49.8°F
South Bend +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Francisco
20.7 in
San Francisco +
South Bend
38.0 in
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.3°F | 49.8°F | South Bend + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.7 in | 38.0 in | San Francisco + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
San Francisco
7.9 µg/m³
San Francisco +
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
San Francisco
75.0%
San Francisco +
South Bend
55.0%
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | San Francisco + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | San Francisco + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
San Francisco
33.9 min
South Bend
21.6 min
South Bend +
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.9 min | 21.6 min | South Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Francisco leads in median household income at $141,446, 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 Francisco. San Francisco has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, and San Francisco has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Francisco scores better with a lower obesity rate of 17.5%.
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