South Bend IN vs St. Charles MO — 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%
St. Charles, MO
Missouri · Population: 71,542
- Median HH Income$55,578
- Median Home Price$144,200
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+22.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
South Bend
102,866
South Bend +
St. Charles
71,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
South Bend
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
Median Age
South Bend
33.9
South Bend +
St. Charles
37.9
Foreign Born
South Bend
8.9%
South Bend +
St. Charles
4.2%
White
South Bend
54.1%
St. Charles
80.4%
St. Charles +
Black
South Bend
24.4%
South Bend +
St. Charles
6.7%
Asian
South Bend
1.7%
South Bend +
St. Charles
1.4%
Hispanic
South Bend
17.3%
South Bend +
St. Charles
7.7%
Spanish at Home
South Bend
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
| Metric | South Bend, IN | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 102,866 | 71,542 | South Bend + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.9 | 37.9 | South Bend + |
| Foreign Born | 8.9% | 4.2% | South Bend + |
| White | 54.1% | 80.4% | St. Charles + |
| Black | 24.4% | 6.7% | South Bend + |
| Asian | 1.7% | 1.4% | South Bend + |
| Hispanic | 17.3% | 7.7% | South Bend + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
South Bend
$52,512
St. Charles
$55,578
St. Charles +
Per Capita Income
South Bend
$29,511
St. Charles
$31,499
St. Charles +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
South Bend
$58,697
South Bend +
St. Charles
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
South Bend
6.0%
St. Charles
4.7%
St. Charles +
Poverty Rate
South Bend
22.6%
St. Charles
18.7%
St. Charles +
Bachelor's Degree+
South Bend
29.4%
South Bend +
St. Charles
22.7%
| Metric | South Bend, IN | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,512 | $55,578 | St. Charles + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,511 | $31,499 | St. Charles + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $58,527 | South Bend + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 4.7% | St. Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.6% | 18.7% | St. Charles + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | 22.7% | South Bend + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
South Bend
$194,972
St. Charles
$144,200
St. Charles +
Homeownership Rate
South Bend
58.8%
St. Charles
61.4%
St. Charles +
| Metric | South Bend, IN | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $194,972 | $144,200 | St. Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.8% | 61.4% | St. Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
South Bend
370
South Bend +
St. Charles
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
South Bend
1719
South Bend +
St. Charles
2418
| Metric | South Bend, IN | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 501 | South Bend + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 2418 | South Bend + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
South Bend
39.7%
St. Charles
35.9%
St. Charles +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
South Bend
15.2%
St. Charles
10.4%
St. Charles +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
South Bend
20.3%
St. Charles
16.0%
St. Charles +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
South Bend
12.6%
St. Charles
7.1%
St. Charles +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
South Bend
15.3%
South Bend +
St. Charles
18.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
South Bend
18.2%
St. Charles
12.5%
St. Charles +
| Metric | South Bend, IN | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.7% | 35.9% | St. Charles + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 10.4% | St. Charles + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.3% | 16.0% | St. Charles + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 7.1% | St. Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 18.4% | South Bend + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 12.5% | St. Charles + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
South Bend
49.8°F
St. Charles
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
South Bend
38.0 in
St. Charles
N/A
| Metric | South Bend, IN | St. Charles, MO | 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
St. Charles
9.3 µg/m³
St. Charles +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
South Bend
55.0%
St. Charles
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | South Bend, IN | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | St. Charles + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
South Bend
21.6 min
St. Charles
18.3 min
St. Charles +
| Metric | South Bend, IN | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 18.3 min | St. Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
St. Charles leads in median household income at $55,578, while st. Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $144,200. On public safety, South Bend is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in St. Charles. St. Charles has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and St. Charles has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, St. Charles scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs South Bend, INLos Angeles, CA vs South Bend, INChicago, IL vs South Bend, INHouston, TX vs South Bend, INPhoenix, AZ vs South Bend, INPhiladelphia, PA vs South Bend, IN