South Bend IN vs Stockton CA — 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%
Stockton, CA
California · Population: 320,470
- Median HH Income$76,851
- Median Home Price$431,297
- Unemployment8.0%
- Bachelor's+19.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
South Bend
102,866
Stockton
320,470
Stockton +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
South Bend
N/A
Stockton
N/A
Median Age
South Bend
33.9
Stockton
33.7
Stockton +
Foreign Born
South Bend
8.9%
Stockton
25.9%
Stockton +
White
South Bend
54.1%
South Bend +
Stockton
26.6%
Black
South Bend
24.4%
South Bend +
Stockton
11.6%
Asian
South Bend
1.7%
Stockton
21.1%
Stockton +
Hispanic
South Bend
17.3%
Stockton
45.2%
Stockton +
Spanish at Home
South Bend
N/A
Stockton
N/A
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 102,866 | 320,470 | Stockton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.9 | 33.7 | Stockton + |
| Foreign Born | 8.9% | 25.9% | Stockton + |
| White | 54.1% | 26.6% | South Bend + |
| Black | 24.4% | 11.6% | South Bend + |
| Asian | 1.7% | 21.1% | Stockton + |
| Hispanic | 17.3% | 45.2% | Stockton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
South Bend
$52,512
Stockton
$76,851
Stockton +
Per Capita Income
South Bend
$29,511
Stockton
$31,279
Stockton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
South Bend
$58,697
Stockton
$77,230
Stockton +
Unemployment Rate
South Bend
6.0%
South Bend +
Stockton
8.0%
Poverty Rate
South Bend
22.6%
Stockton
15.4%
Stockton +
Bachelor's Degree+
South Bend
29.4%
South Bend +
Stockton
19.1%
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,512 | $76,851 | Stockton + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,511 | $31,279 | Stockton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $77,230 | Stockton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 8.0% | South Bend + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.6% | 15.4% | Stockton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | 19.1% | South Bend + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
South Bend
$194,972
South Bend +
Stockton
$431,297
Homeownership Rate
South Bend
58.8%
South Bend +
Stockton
53.2%
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $194,972 | $431,297 | South Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.8% | 53.2% | South Bend + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
South Bend
370
South Bend +
Stockton
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
South Bend
1719
South Bend +
Stockton
2388
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 503 | South Bend + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 2388 | South Bend + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
South Bend
39.7%
Stockton
31.8%
Stockton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
South Bend
15.2%
Stockton
13.5%
Stockton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
South Bend
20.3%
Stockton
18.1%
Stockton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
South Bend
12.6%
South Bend +
Stockton
15.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
South Bend
15.3%
Stockton
13.3%
Stockton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
South Bend
18.2%
Stockton
13.8%
Stockton +
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.7% | 31.8% | Stockton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 13.5% | Stockton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.3% | 18.1% | Stockton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 15.0% | South Bend + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 13.3% | Stockton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 13.8% | Stockton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
South Bend
49.8°F
South Bend +
Stockton
62.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
South Bend
38.0 in
Stockton
17.8 in
Stockton +
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.8°F | 62.2°F | South Bend + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.0 in | 17.8 in | Stockton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
Stockton
7.9 µg/m³
Stockton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
South Bend
55.0%
Stockton
75.0%
Stockton +
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Stockton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Stockton + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
South Bend
21.6 min
South Bend +
Stockton
33.2 min
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 33.2 min | South Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
Stockton leads in median household income at $76,851, 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 503 in Stockton. South Bend has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Stockton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Stockton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.8%.
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