South Bend IN vs Utica NY — 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%
Utica, NY
New York · Population: 51,054
- Median HH Income$57,688
- Median Home Price$205,924
- Unemployment9.4%
- Bachelor's+36.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
South Bend
102,866
South Bend +
Utica
51,054
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
South Bend
N/A
Utica
N/A
Median Age
South Bend
33.9
Utica
33.0
Utica +
Foreign Born
South Bend
8.9%
Utica
9.7%
Utica +
White
South Bend
54.1%
Utica
64.8%
Utica +
Black
South Bend
24.4%
South Bend +
Utica
16.9%
Asian
South Bend
1.7%
Utica
4.3%
Utica +
Hispanic
South Bend
17.3%
South Bend +
Utica
9.8%
Spanish at Home
South Bend
N/A
Utica
N/A
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 102,866 | 51,054 | South Bend + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.9 | 33.0 | Utica + |
| Foreign Born | 8.9% | 9.7% | Utica + |
| White | 54.1% | 64.8% | Utica + |
| Black | 24.4% | 16.9% | South Bend + |
| Asian | 1.7% | 4.3% | Utica + |
| Hispanic | 17.3% | 9.8% | South Bend + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
South Bend
$52,512
Utica
$57,688
Utica +
Per Capita Income
South Bend
$29,511
Utica
$35,780
Utica +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
South Bend
$58,697
Utica
$77,425
Utica +
Unemployment Rate
South Bend
6.0%
South Bend +
Utica
9.4%
Poverty Rate
South Bend
22.6%
South Bend +
Utica
23.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
South Bend
29.4%
Utica
36.8%
Utica +
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,512 | $57,688 | Utica + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,511 | $35,780 | Utica + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $77,425 | Utica + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 9.4% | South Bend + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.6% | 23.8% | South Bend + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | 36.8% | Utica + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
South Bend
$194,972
South Bend +
Utica
$205,924
Homeownership Rate
South Bend
58.8%
South Bend +
Utica
36.8%
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $194,972 | $205,924 | South Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.8% | 36.8% | South Bend + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
South Bend
370
South Bend +
Utica
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
South Bend
1719
South Bend +
Utica
1736
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 434 | South Bend + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1736 | South Bend + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
South Bend
39.7%
Utica
39.6%
Utica +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
South Bend
15.2%
Utica
14.1%
Utica +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
South Bend
20.3%
Utica
19.4%
Utica +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
South Bend
12.6%
Utica
11.1%
Utica +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
South Bend
15.3%
Utica
15.2%
Utica +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
South Bend
18.2%
South Bend +
Utica
18.7%
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.7% | 39.6% | Utica + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 14.1% | Utica + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.3% | 19.4% | Utica + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 11.1% | Utica + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 15.2% | Utica + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 18.7% | South Bend + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
South Bend
49.8°F
Utica
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
South Bend
38.0 in
Utica
N/A
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Utica, NY | 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
Utica
8.1 µg/m³
Utica +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
South Bend
55.0%
Utica
75.0%
Utica +
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Utica + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Utica + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
South Bend
21.6 min
South Bend +
Utica
22.7 min
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 22.7 min | South Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
Utica leads in median household income at $57,688, 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 434 in Utica. South Bend has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Utica has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Utica scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.6%.
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