South Bend IN vs Springfield IL — 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%
Springfield, IL
Illinois · Population: 113,714
- Median HH Income$65,537
- Median Home Price$168,312
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+35.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
South Bend
102,866
Springfield
113,714
Springfield +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
South Bend
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
South Bend
33.9
South Bend +
Springfield
40.7
Foreign Born
South Bend
8.9%
South Bend +
Springfield
4.5%
White
South Bend
54.1%
Springfield
70.5%
Springfield +
Black
South Bend
24.4%
South Bend +
Springfield
19.8%
Asian
South Bend
1.7%
Springfield
2.9%
Springfield +
Hispanic
South Bend
17.3%
South Bend +
Springfield
3.4%
Spanish at Home
South Bend
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 102,866 | 113,714 | Springfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.9 | 40.7 | South Bend + |
| Foreign Born | 8.9% | 4.5% | South Bend + |
| White | 54.1% | 70.5% | Springfield + |
| Black | 24.4% | 19.8% | South Bend + |
| Asian | 1.7% | 2.9% | Springfield + |
| Hispanic | 17.3% | 3.4% | South Bend + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
South Bend
$52,512
Springfield
$65,537
Springfield +
Per Capita Income
South Bend
$29,511
Springfield
$41,110
Springfield +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
South Bend
$58,697
Springfield
$68,110
Springfield +
Unemployment Rate
South Bend
6.0%
South Bend +
Springfield
6.7%
Poverty Rate
South Bend
22.6%
Springfield
16.5%
Springfield +
Bachelor's Degree+
South Bend
29.4%
Springfield
35.1%
Springfield +
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,512 | $65,537 | Springfield + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,511 | $41,110 | Springfield + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $68,110 | Springfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 6.7% | South Bend + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.6% | 16.5% | Springfield + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | 35.1% | Springfield + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
South Bend
$194,972
Springfield
$168,312
Springfield +
Homeownership Rate
South Bend
58.8%
Springfield
63.4%
Springfield +
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $194,972 | $168,312 | Springfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.8% | 63.4% | Springfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
South Bend
370
Springfield
344
Springfield +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
South Bend
1719
South Bend +
Springfield
1842
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 344 | Springfield + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1842 | South Bend + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
South Bend
39.7%
South Bend +
Springfield
41.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
South Bend
15.2%
Springfield
12.9%
Springfield +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
South Bend
20.3%
Springfield
17.3%
Springfield +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
South Bend
12.6%
Springfield
8.2%
Springfield +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
South Bend
15.3%
South Bend +
Springfield
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
South Bend
18.2%
Springfield
14.7%
Springfield +
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.7% | 41.1% | South Bend + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 12.9% | Springfield + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.3% | 17.3% | Springfield + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 8.2% | Springfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 16.7% | South Bend + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 14.7% | Springfield + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
South Bend
49.8°F
Springfield
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
South Bend
38.0 in
Springfield
37.7 in
Springfield +
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.8°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.0 in | 37.7 in | Springfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
Springfield
9.4 µg/m³
Springfield +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
South Bend
55.0%
Springfield
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Springfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
South Bend
21.6 min
Springfield
19.4 min
Springfield +
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 19.4 min | Springfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Springfield leads in median household income at $65,537, while springfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $168,312. On public safety, Springfield is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in South Bend. South Bend has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Springfield has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, South Bend scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.7%.
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