South Bend IN vs Sparks NV — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
South Bend, IN
Indiana · Population: 102,866
- Median HH Income$52,512
- Median Home Price$194,972
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+29.4%
Sparks, NV
Nevada · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$530,668
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
South Bend
102,866
Sparks
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
South Bend
N/A
Sparks
N/A
Median Age
South Bend
33.9
Sparks
N/A
Foreign Born
South Bend
8.9%
Sparks
N/A
White
South Bend
54.1%
Sparks
N/A
Black
South Bend
24.4%
Sparks
N/A
Asian
South Bend
1.7%
Sparks
N/A
Hispanic
South Bend
17.3%
Sparks
N/A
Spanish at Home
South Bend
N/A
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 102,866 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.9 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 8.9% | N/A | - |
| White | 54.1% | N/A | - |
| Black | 24.4% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 1.7% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 17.3% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
South Bend
$52,512
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Income
South Bend
$29,511
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
South Bend
$58,697
Sparks
$62,696
Sparks +
Unemployment Rate
South Bend
6.0%
Sparks
N/A
Poverty Rate
South Bend
22.6%
Sparks
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
South Bend
29.4%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,512 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $29,511 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $62,696 | Sparks + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 22.6% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
South Bend
$194,972
South Bend +
Sparks
$530,668
Homeownership Rate
South Bend
58.8%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $194,972 | $530,668 | South Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.8% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
South Bend
370
South Bend +
Sparks
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
South Bend
1719
South Bend +
Sparks
2417
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 460 | South Bend + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 2417 | South Bend + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
South Bend
39.7%
Sparks
28.6%
Sparks +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
South Bend
15.2%
Sparks
9.8%
Sparks +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
South Bend
20.3%
Sparks
18.1%
Sparks +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
South Bend
12.6%
South Bend +
Sparks
13.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
South Bend
15.3%
South Bend +
Sparks
18.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
South Bend
18.2%
Sparks
12.9%
Sparks +
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.7% | 28.6% | Sparks + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 9.8% | Sparks + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.3% | 18.1% | Sparks + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 13.8% | South Bend + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 18.7% | South Bend + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 12.9% | Sparks + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
South Bend
49.8°F
South Bend +
Sparks
52.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
South Bend
38.0 in
Sparks
8.3 in
Sparks +
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.8°F | 52.4°F | South Bend + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.0 in | 8.3 in | Sparks + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
Sparks
5.2 µg/m³
Sparks +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
South Bend
55.0%
Sparks
75.0%
Sparks +
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Sparks + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Sparks + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
South Bend
21.6 min
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
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 460 in Sparks. Sparks has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sparks scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.6%.
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