South Bend IN vs Topeka KS — 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%
Topeka, KS
Kansas · Population: 126,103
- Median HH Income$55,902
- Median Home Price$193,522
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+29.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
South Bend
102,866
Topeka
126,103
Topeka +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
South Bend
N/A
Topeka
N/A
Median Age
South Bend
33.9
South Bend +
Topeka
38.2
Foreign Born
South Bend
8.9%
South Bend +
Topeka
5.3%
White
South Bend
54.1%
Topeka
71.0%
Topeka +
Black
South Bend
24.4%
South Bend +
Topeka
9.7%
Asian
South Bend
1.7%
Topeka
1.8%
Topeka +
Hispanic
South Bend
17.3%
South Bend +
Topeka
16.9%
Spanish at Home
South Bend
N/A
Topeka
N/A
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 102,866 | 126,103 | Topeka + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.9 | 38.2 | South Bend + |
| Foreign Born | 8.9% | 5.3% | South Bend + |
| White | 54.1% | 71.0% | Topeka + |
| Black | 24.4% | 9.7% | South Bend + |
| Asian | 1.7% | 1.8% | Topeka + |
| Hispanic | 17.3% | 16.9% | South Bend + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
South Bend
$52,512
Topeka
$55,902
Topeka +
Per Capita Income
South Bend
$29,511
Topeka
$33,290
Topeka +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
South Bend
$58,697
Topeka
$61,860
Topeka +
Unemployment Rate
South Bend
6.0%
Topeka
4.9%
Topeka +
Poverty Rate
South Bend
22.6%
Topeka
15.6%
Topeka +
Bachelor's Degree+
South Bend
29.4%
South Bend +
Topeka
29.1%
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,512 | $55,902 | Topeka + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,511 | $33,290 | Topeka + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $61,860 | Topeka + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 4.9% | Topeka + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.6% | 15.6% | Topeka + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | 29.1% | South Bend + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
South Bend
$194,972
Topeka
$193,522
Topeka +
Homeownership Rate
South Bend
58.8%
Topeka
59.2%
Topeka +
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $194,972 | $193,522 | Topeka + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.8% | 59.2% | Topeka + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
South Bend
370
South Bend +
Topeka
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
South Bend
1719
South Bend +
Topeka
2174
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 449 | South Bend + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 2174 | South Bend + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
South Bend
39.7%
Topeka
39.7%
Tie
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
South Bend
15.2%
Topeka
13.1%
Topeka +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
South Bend
20.3%
Topeka
16.8%
Topeka +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
South Bend
12.6%
Topeka
11.4%
Topeka +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
South Bend
15.3%
Topeka
14.5%
Topeka +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
South Bend
18.2%
Topeka
16.9%
Topeka +
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.7% | 39.7% | Tie |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 13.1% | Topeka + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.3% | 16.8% | Topeka + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 11.4% | Topeka + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 14.5% | Topeka + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 16.9% | Topeka + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
South Bend
49.8°F
South Bend +
Topeka
54.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
South Bend
38.0 in
South Bend +
Topeka
39.0 in
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.8°F | 54.5°F | South Bend + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.0 in | 39.0 in | South Bend + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Topeka +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
South Bend
55.0%
Topeka
75.0%
Topeka +
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Topeka + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Topeka + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
South Bend
21.6 min
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 18.3 min | Topeka + |
Which City is Right for You?
Topeka leads in median household income at $55,902, while topeka offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $193,522. On public safety, South Bend is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Topeka. Topeka has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Topeka has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Topeka scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.7%.
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