South Bend IN vs Toledo OH — 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%
Toledo, OH
Ohio · Population: 268,461
- Median HH Income$47,532
- Median Home Price$130,101
- Unemployment8.5%
- Bachelor's+21.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
South Bend
102,866
Toledo
268,461
Toledo +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
South Bend
N/A
Toledo
N/A
Median Age
South Bend
33.9
South Bend +
Toledo
35.7
Foreign Born
South Bend
8.9%
South Bend +
Toledo
3.4%
White
South Bend
54.1%
Toledo
58.7%
Toledo +
Black
South Bend
24.4%
Toledo
28.7%
Toledo +
Asian
South Bend
1.7%
South Bend +
Toledo
1.4%
Hispanic
South Bend
17.3%
South Bend +
Toledo
8.9%
Spanish at Home
South Bend
N/A
Toledo
N/A
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 102,866 | 268,461 | Toledo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.9 | 35.7 | South Bend + |
| Foreign Born | 8.9% | 3.4% | South Bend + |
| White | 54.1% | 58.7% | Toledo + |
| Black | 24.4% | 28.7% | Toledo + |
| Asian | 1.7% | 1.4% | South Bend + |
| Hispanic | 17.3% | 8.9% | South Bend + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
South Bend
$52,512
South Bend +
Toledo
$47,532
Per Capita Income
South Bend
$29,511
South Bend +
Toledo
$27,407
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
South Bend
$58,697
South Bend +
Toledo
$58,300
Unemployment Rate
South Bend
6.0%
South Bend +
Toledo
8.5%
Poverty Rate
South Bend
22.6%
South Bend +
Toledo
24.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
South Bend
29.4%
South Bend +
Toledo
21.0%
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,512 | $47,532 | South Bend + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,511 | $27,407 | South Bend + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $58,300 | South Bend + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 8.5% | South Bend + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.6% | 24.5% | South Bend + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | 21.0% | South Bend + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
South Bend
$194,972
Toledo
$130,101
Toledo +
Homeownership Rate
South Bend
58.8%
South Bend +
Toledo
52.7%
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $194,972 | $130,101 | Toledo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.8% | 52.7% | South Bend + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
South Bend
370
Toledo
319
Toledo +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
South Bend
1719
South Bend +
Toledo
1866
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 319 | Toledo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1866 | South Bend + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
South Bend
39.7%
Toledo
39.3%
Toledo +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
South Bend
15.2%
South Bend +
Toledo
15.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
South Bend
20.3%
South Bend +
Toledo
20.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
South Bend
12.6%
Toledo
11.3%
Toledo +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
South Bend
15.3%
Toledo
14.9%
Toledo +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
South Bend
18.2%
South Bend +
Toledo
19.9%
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.7% | 39.3% | Toledo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 15.7% | South Bend + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.3% | 20.6% | South Bend + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 11.3% | Toledo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 14.9% | Toledo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 19.9% | South Bend + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
South Bend
49.8°F
South Bend +
Toledo
50.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
South Bend
38.0 in
Toledo
33.4 in
Toledo +
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.8°F | 50.6°F | South Bend + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.0 in | 33.4 in | Toledo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
South Bend +
Toledo
10.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
South Bend
55.0%
Toledo
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 10.3 µg/m³ | South Bend + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
South Bend
21.6 min
Toledo
21.3 min
Toledo +
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 21.3 min | Toledo + |
Which City is Right for You?
South Bend leads in median household income at $52,512, while toledo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $130,101. On public safety, Toledo is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in South Bend. South Bend has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and South Bend has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 10.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Toledo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.3%.
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