South Bend IN vs Spokane WA — 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%
Spokane, WA
Washington · Population: 229,228
- Median HH Income$65,745
- Median Home Price$400,636
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+32.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
South Bend
102,866
Spokane
229,228
Spokane +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
South Bend
N/A
Spokane
N/A
Median Age
South Bend
33.9
South Bend +
Spokane
37.2
Foreign Born
South Bend
8.9%
South Bend +
Spokane
6.1%
White
South Bend
54.1%
Spokane
81.0%
Spokane +
Black
South Bend
24.4%
South Bend +
Spokane
2.7%
Asian
South Bend
1.7%
Spokane
2.9%
Spokane +
Hispanic
South Bend
17.3%
South Bend +
Spokane
7.8%
Spanish at Home
South Bend
N/A
Spokane
N/A
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 102,866 | 229,228 | Spokane + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.9 | 37.2 | South Bend + |
| Foreign Born | 8.9% | 6.1% | South Bend + |
| White | 54.1% | 81.0% | Spokane + |
| Black | 24.4% | 2.7% | South Bend + |
| Asian | 1.7% | 2.9% | Spokane + |
| Hispanic | 17.3% | 7.8% | South Bend + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
South Bend
$52,512
Spokane
$65,745
Spokane +
Per Capita Income
South Bend
$29,511
Spokane
$38,200
Spokane +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
South Bend
$58,697
Spokane
$76,120
Spokane +
Unemployment Rate
South Bend
6.0%
Spokane
6.0%
Spokane +
Poverty Rate
South Bend
22.6%
Spokane
14.6%
Spokane +
Bachelor's Degree+
South Bend
29.4%
Spokane
32.6%
Spokane +
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,512 | $65,745 | Spokane + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,511 | $38,200 | Spokane + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $76,120 | Spokane + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 6.0% | Spokane + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.6% | 14.6% | Spokane + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | 32.6% | Spokane + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
South Bend
$194,972
South Bend +
Spokane
$400,636
Homeownership Rate
South Bend
58.8%
South Bend +
Spokane
58.3%
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $194,972 | $400,636 | South Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.8% | 58.3% | South Bend + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
South Bend
370
South Bend +
Spokane
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
South Bend
1719
South Bend +
Spokane
3409
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 383 | South Bend + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 3409 | South Bend + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
South Bend
39.7%
Spokane
35.3%
Spokane +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
South Bend
15.2%
Spokane
10.3%
Spokane +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
South Bend
20.3%
Spokane
18.6%
Spokane +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
South Bend
12.6%
Spokane
8.2%
Spokane +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
South Bend
15.3%
South Bend +
Spokane
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
South Bend
18.2%
Spokane
12.7%
Spokane +
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.7% | 35.3% | Spokane + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 10.3% | Spokane + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.3% | 18.6% | Spokane + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 8.2% | Spokane + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 17.5% | South Bend + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 12.7% | Spokane + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
South Bend
49.8°F
Spokane
46.1°F
Spokane +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
South Bend
38.0 in
Spokane
17.1 in
Spokane +
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.8°F | 46.1°F | Spokane + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.0 in | 17.1 in | Spokane + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
Spokane
7.5 µg/m³
Spokane +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
South Bend
55.0%
Spokane
75.0%
Spokane +
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Spokane + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Spokane + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
South Bend
21.6 min
South Bend +
Spokane
22.6 min
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 22.6 min | South Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
Spokane leads in median household income at $65,745, 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 Spokane. Spokane has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Spokane has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Spokane scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.
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