South Bend IN vs St. Louis 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. Louis, MO
Missouri · Population: 293,109
- Median HH Income$55,279
- Median Home Price$185,100
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+40.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
South Bend
102,866
St. Louis
293,109
St. Louis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
South Bend
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
Median Age
South Bend
33.9
South Bend +
St. Louis
36.6
Foreign Born
South Bend
8.9%
South Bend +
St. Louis
6.6%
White
South Bend
54.1%
South Bend +
St. Louis
45.7%
Black
South Bend
24.4%
St. Louis
43.1%
St. Louis +
Asian
South Bend
1.7%
St. Louis
3.4%
St. Louis +
Hispanic
South Bend
17.3%
South Bend +
St. Louis
5.1%
Spanish at Home
South Bend
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | South Bend, IN | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 102,866 | 293,109 | St. Louis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.9 | 36.6 | South Bend + |
| Foreign Born | 8.9% | 6.6% | South Bend + |
| White | 54.1% | 45.7% | South Bend + |
| Black | 24.4% | 43.1% | St. Louis + |
| Asian | 1.7% | 3.4% | St. Louis + |
| Hispanic | 17.3% | 5.1% | South Bend + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
South Bend
$52,512
St. Louis
$55,279
St. Louis +
Per Capita Income
South Bend
$29,511
St. Louis
$38,947
St. Louis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
South Bend
$58,697
South Bend +
St. Louis
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
South Bend
6.0%
St. Louis
5.1%
St. Louis +
Poverty Rate
South Bend
22.6%
St. Louis
19.8%
St. Louis +
Bachelor's Degree+
South Bend
29.4%
St. Louis
40.2%
St. Louis +
| Metric | South Bend, IN | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,512 | $55,279 | St. Louis + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,511 | $38,947 | St. Louis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $58,527 | South Bend + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 5.1% | St. Louis + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.6% | 19.8% | St. Louis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | 40.2% | St. Louis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
South Bend
$194,972
St. Louis
$185,100
St. Louis +
Homeownership Rate
South Bend
58.8%
South Bend +
St. Louis
45.4%
| Metric | South Bend, IN | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $194,972 | $185,100 | St. Louis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.8% | 45.4% | South Bend + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
South Bend
370
South Bend +
St. Louis
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
South Bend
1719
South Bend +
St. Louis
2418
| Metric | South Bend, IN | St. Louis, 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. Louis
36.8%
St. Louis +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
South Bend
15.2%
St. Louis
13.2%
St. Louis +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
South Bend
20.3%
St. Louis
18.8%
St. Louis +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
South Bend
12.6%
St. Louis
9.4%
St. Louis +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
South Bend
15.3%
South Bend +
St. Louis
17.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
South Bend
18.2%
St. Louis
16.8%
St. Louis +
| Metric | South Bend, IN | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.7% | 36.8% | St. Louis + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 13.2% | St. Louis + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.3% | 18.8% | St. Louis + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 9.4% | St. Louis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 17.9% | South Bend + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 16.8% | St. Louis + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
South Bend
49.8°F
St. Louis
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
South Bend
38.0 in
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | South Bend, IN | St. Louis, 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. Louis
9.3 µg/m³
St. Louis +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
South Bend
55.0%
St. Louis
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | South Bend, IN | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | St. Louis + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
South Bend
21.6 min
South Bend +
St. Louis
24.0 min
| Metric | South Bend, IN | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 24.0 min | South Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
St. Louis leads in median household income at $55,279, while st. Louis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $185,100. On public safety, South Bend is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in St. Louis. St. Louis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and St. Louis has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, St. Louis scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
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