South Bend IN vs Washington DC — 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%
Washington, DC
District of Columbia · Population: 672,079
- Median HH Income$106,287
- Median Home Price$580,173
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+63.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
South Bend
102,866
Washington
672,079
Washington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
South Bend
N/A
Washington
N/A
Median Age
South Bend
33.9
South Bend +
Washington
34.9
Foreign Born
South Bend
8.9%
Washington
13.3%
Washington +
White
South Bend
54.1%
South Bend +
Washington
39.1%
Black
South Bend
24.4%
Washington
43.3%
Washington +
Asian
South Bend
1.7%
Washington
4.1%
Washington +
Hispanic
South Bend
17.3%
South Bend +
Washington
11.6%
Spanish at Home
South Bend
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 102,866 | 672,079 | Washington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.9 | 34.9 | South Bend + |
| Foreign Born | 8.9% | 13.3% | Washington + |
| White | 54.1% | 39.1% | South Bend + |
| Black | 24.4% | 43.3% | Washington + |
| Asian | 1.7% | 4.1% | Washington + |
| Hispanic | 17.3% | 11.6% | South Bend + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
South Bend
$52,512
Washington
$106,287
Washington +
Per Capita Income
South Bend
$29,511
Washington
$75,253
Washington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
South Bend
$58,697
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Unemployment Rate
South Bend
6.0%
South Bend +
Washington
6.5%
Poverty Rate
South Bend
22.6%
Washington
14.5%
Washington +
Bachelor's Degree+
South Bend
29.4%
Washington
63.6%
Washington +
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,512 | $106,287 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,511 | $75,253 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $101,182 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 6.5% | South Bend + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.6% | 14.5% | Washington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | 63.6% | Washington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
South Bend
$194,972
South Bend +
Washington
$580,173
Homeownership Rate
South Bend
58.8%
South Bend +
Washington
41.1%
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $194,972 | $580,173 | South Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.8% | 41.1% | South Bend + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
South Bend
370
South Bend +
Washington
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
South Bend
1719
South Bend +
Washington
1999
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 398 | South Bend + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1999 | South Bend + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
South Bend
39.7%
Washington
24.6%
Washington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
South Bend
15.2%
Washington
7.8%
Washington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
South Bend
20.3%
Washington
14.6%
Washington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
South Bend
12.6%
Washington
6.7%
Washington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
South Bend
15.3%
South Bend +
Washington
24.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
South Bend
18.2%
Washington
9.7%
Washington +
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.7% | 24.6% | Washington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 7.8% | Washington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.3% | 14.6% | Washington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 6.7% | Washington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 24.0% | South Bend + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 9.7% | Washington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
South Bend
49.8°F
Washington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
South Bend
38.0 in
Washington
N/A
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Washington, DC | 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
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Washington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
South Bend
55.0%
Washington
75.0%
Washington +
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Washington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Washington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
South Bend
21.6 min
South Bend +
Washington
32.8 min
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 32.8 min | South Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
Washington leads in median household income at $106,287, 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 398 in Washington. South Bend has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Washington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Washington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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