Seattle WA 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)
Seattle, WA
Washington · Population: 741,440
- Median HH Income$121,984
- Median Home Price$871,599
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+67.5%
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
Seattle
741,440
Seattle +
South Bend
102,866
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Seattle
N/A
South Bend
N/A
Median Age
Seattle
35.5
South Bend
33.9
South Bend +
Foreign Born
Seattle
19.9%
Seattle +
South Bend
8.9%
White
Seattle
61.8%
Seattle +
South Bend
54.1%
Black
Seattle
6.6%
South Bend
24.4%
South Bend +
Asian
Seattle
17.2%
Seattle +
South Bend
1.7%
Hispanic
Seattle
8.2%
South Bend
17.3%
South Bend +
Spanish at Home
Seattle
N/A
South Bend
N/A
| Metric | Seattle, WA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 741,440 | 102,866 | Seattle + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 33.9 | South Bend + |
| Foreign Born | 19.9% | 8.9% | Seattle + |
| White | 61.8% | 54.1% | Seattle + |
| Black | 6.6% | 24.4% | South Bend + |
| Asian | 17.2% | 1.7% | Seattle + |
| Hispanic | 8.2% | 17.3% | South Bend + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Seattle
$121,984
Seattle +
South Bend
$52,512
Per Capita Income
Seattle
$82,508
Seattle +
South Bend
$29,511
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Seattle
$76,120
Seattle +
South Bend
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Seattle
4.2%
Seattle +
South Bend
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Seattle
9.9%
Seattle +
South Bend
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Seattle
67.5%
Seattle +
South Bend
29.4%
| Metric | Seattle, WA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $121,984 | $52,512 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Income | $82,508 | $29,511 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $58,697 | Seattle + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 6.0% | Seattle + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.9% | 22.6% | Seattle + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 67.5% | 29.4% | Seattle + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Seattle
$871,599
South Bend
$194,972
South Bend +
Homeownership Rate
Seattle
44.3%
South Bend
58.8%
South Bend +
| Metric | Seattle, WA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $871,599 | $194,972 | South Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.3% | 58.8% | South Bend + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Seattle
383
South Bend
370
South Bend +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Seattle
3409
South Bend
1719
South Bend +
| Metric | Seattle, WA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 370 | South Bend + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1719 | South Bend + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Seattle
22.2%
Seattle +
South Bend
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
South Bend
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Seattle
15.3%
Seattle +
South Bend
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
South Bend
12.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Seattle
19.0%
South Bend
15.3%
South Bend +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Seattle
6.5%
Seattle +
South Bend
18.2%
| Metric | Seattle, WA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 22.2% | 39.7% | Seattle + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 15.2% | Seattle + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.3% | 20.3% | Seattle + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 12.6% | Seattle + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 15.3% | South Bend + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 6.5% | 18.2% | Seattle + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Seattle
52.6°F
South Bend
49.8°F
South Bend +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Seattle
37.5 in
Seattle +
South Bend
38.0 in
| Metric | Seattle, WA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.6°F | 49.8°F | South Bend + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.5 in | 38.0 in | Seattle + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Seattle
7.5 µg/m³
Seattle +
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Seattle
75.0%
Seattle +
South Bend
55.0%
| Metric | Seattle, WA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Seattle + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Seattle + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Seattle
28.8 min
South Bend
21.6 min
South Bend +
| Metric | Seattle, WA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.8 min | 21.6 min | South Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
Seattle leads in median household income at $121,984, 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 383 in Seattle. Seattle has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Seattle has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Seattle scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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