South Bend IN vs Warren MI — 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%
Warren, MI
Michigan · Population: 138,128
- Median HH Income$63,741
- Median Home Price$200,632
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+20.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
South Bend
102,866
Warren
138,128
Warren +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
South Bend
N/A
Warren
N/A
Median Age
South Bend
33.9
South Bend +
Warren
37.9
Foreign Born
South Bend
8.9%
Warren
13.7%
Warren +
White
South Bend
54.1%
Warren
60.8%
Warren +
Black
South Bend
24.4%
South Bend +
Warren
20.9%
Asian
South Bend
1.7%
Warren
11.9%
Warren +
Hispanic
South Bend
17.3%
South Bend +
Warren
2.8%
Spanish at Home
South Bend
N/A
Warren
N/A
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Warren, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 102,866 | 138,128 | Warren + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.9 | 37.9 | South Bend + |
| Foreign Born | 8.9% | 13.7% | Warren + |
| White | 54.1% | 60.8% | Warren + |
| Black | 24.4% | 20.9% | South Bend + |
| Asian | 1.7% | 11.9% | Warren + |
| Hispanic | 17.3% | 2.8% | South Bend + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
South Bend
$52,512
Warren
$63,741
Warren +
Per Capita Income
South Bend
$29,511
Warren
$32,162
Warren +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
South Bend
$58,697
South Bend +
Warren
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
South Bend
6.0%
South Bend +
Warren
7.4%
Poverty Rate
South Bend
22.6%
Warren
12.8%
Warren +
Bachelor's Degree+
South Bend
29.4%
South Bend +
Warren
20.4%
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Warren, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,512 | $63,741 | Warren + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,511 | $32,162 | Warren + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $58,052 | South Bend + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 7.4% | South Bend + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.6% | 12.8% | Warren + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | 20.4% | South Bend + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
South Bend
$194,972
South Bend +
Warren
$200,632
Homeownership Rate
South Bend
58.8%
Warren
71.0%
Warren +
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Warren, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $194,972 | $200,632 | South Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.8% | 71.0% | Warren + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
South Bend
370
South Bend +
Warren
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
South Bend
1719
Warren
1590
Warren +
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Warren, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 471 | South Bend + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1590 | Warren + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
South Bend
39.7%
Warren
39.1%
Warren +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
South Bend
15.2%
Warren
12.5%
Warren +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
South Bend
20.3%
Warren
18.9%
Warren +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
South Bend
12.6%
Warren
8.1%
Warren +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
South Bend
15.3%
South Bend +
Warren
15.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
South Bend
18.2%
Warren
18.0%
Warren +
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Warren, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.7% | 39.1% | Warren + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 12.5% | Warren + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.3% | 18.9% | Warren + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 8.1% | Warren + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 15.7% | South Bend + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 18.0% | Warren + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
South Bend
49.8°F
Warren
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
South Bend
38.0 in
Warren
N/A
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Warren, MI | 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
South Bend +
Warren
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
South Bend
55.0%
Warren
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Warren, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | South Bend + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
South Bend
21.6 min
South Bend +
Warren
26.9 min
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Warren, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 26.9 min | South Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
Warren leads in median household income at $63,741, 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 471 in Warren. 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, Warren scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.1%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs South Bend, INLos Angeles, CA vs South Bend, INChicago, IL vs South Bend, INHouston, TX vs South Bend, INPhoenix, AZ vs South Bend, INPhiladelphia, PA vs South Bend, IN