South Bend IN vs Springfield MA — 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, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 154,751
- Median HH Income$51,339
- Median Home Price$298,985
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+19.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
South Bend
102,866
Springfield
154,751
Springfield +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
South Bend
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
South Bend
33.9
Springfield
33.7
Springfield +
Foreign Born
South Bend
8.9%
Springfield
10.2%
Springfield +
White
South Bend
54.1%
South Bend +
Springfield
40.8%
Black
South Bend
24.4%
South Bend +
Springfield
20.0%
Asian
South Bend
1.7%
Springfield
2.8%
Springfield +
Hispanic
South Bend
17.3%
Springfield
47.4%
Springfield +
Spanish at Home
South Bend
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 102,866 | 154,751 | Springfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.9 | 33.7 | Springfield + |
| Foreign Born | 8.9% | 10.2% | Springfield + |
| White | 54.1% | 40.8% | South Bend + |
| Black | 24.4% | 20.0% | South Bend + |
| Asian | 1.7% | 2.8% | Springfield + |
| Hispanic | 17.3% | 47.4% | Springfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
South Bend
$52,512
South Bend +
Springfield
$51,339
Per Capita Income
South Bend
$29,511
South Bend +
Springfield
$27,054
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
South Bend
$58,697
Springfield
$85,405
Springfield +
Unemployment Rate
South Bend
6.0%
South Bend +
Springfield
8.2%
Poverty Rate
South Bend
22.6%
South Bend +
Springfield
25.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
South Bend
29.4%
South Bend +
Springfield
19.7%
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,512 | $51,339 | South Bend + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,511 | $27,054 | South Bend + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $85,405 | Springfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 8.2% | South Bend + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.6% | 25.3% | South Bend + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | 19.7% | South Bend + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
South Bend
$194,972
South Bend +
Springfield
$298,985
Homeownership Rate
South Bend
58.8%
South Bend +
Springfield
49.5%
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $194,972 | $298,985 | South Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.8% | 49.5% | South Bend + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
South Bend
370
Springfield
326
Springfield +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
South Bend
1719
Springfield
1086
Springfield +
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 326 | Springfield + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1086 | Springfield + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
South Bend
39.7%
Springfield
39.6%
Springfield +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
South Bend
15.2%
Springfield
14.8%
Springfield +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
South Bend
20.3%
South Bend +
Springfield
21.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
South Bend
12.6%
South Bend +
Springfield
13.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
South Bend
15.3%
Springfield
15.1%
Springfield +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
South Bend
18.2%
Springfield
17.5%
Springfield +
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.7% | 39.6% | Springfield + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 14.8% | Springfield + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.3% | 21.1% | South Bend + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 13.7% | South Bend + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 15.1% | Springfield + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 17.5% | 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
N/A
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.8°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.0 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
Springfield
7.2 µg/m³
Springfield +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
South Bend
55.0%
Springfield
75.0%
Springfield +
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Springfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Springfield + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
South Bend
21.6 min
South Bend +
Springfield
22.6 min
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 22.6 min | South Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
South Bend leads in median household income at $52,512, while south Bend offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $194,972. On public safety, Springfield is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 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 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Springfield scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.6%.
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