South Bend IN vs Winston-Salem NC — 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%
Winston-Salem, NC
North Carolina · Population: 118,578
- Median HH Income$63,900
- Median Home Price$265,013
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+45.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
South Bend
102,866
Winston-Salem
118,578
Winston-Salem +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
South Bend
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Median Age
South Bend
33.9
South Bend +
Winston-Salem
37.5
Foreign Born
South Bend
8.9%
South Bend +
Winston-Salem
5.7%
White
South Bend
54.1%
Winston-Salem
72.9%
Winston-Salem +
Black
South Bend
24.4%
South Bend +
Winston-Salem
14.9%
Asian
South Bend
1.7%
South Bend +
Winston-Salem
1.3%
Hispanic
South Bend
17.3%
South Bend +
Winston-Salem
8.9%
Spanish at Home
South Bend
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 102,866 | 118,578 | Winston-Salem + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.9 | 37.5 | South Bend + |
| Foreign Born | 8.9% | 5.7% | South Bend + |
| White | 54.1% | 72.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Black | 24.4% | 14.9% | South Bend + |
| Asian | 1.7% | 1.3% | South Bend + |
| Hispanic | 17.3% | 8.9% | South Bend + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
South Bend
$52,512
Winston-Salem
$63,900
Winston-Salem +
Per Capita Income
South Bend
$29,511
Winston-Salem
$46,062
Winston-Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
South Bend
$58,697
Winston-Salem
$59,120
Winston-Salem +
Unemployment Rate
South Bend
6.0%
Winston-Salem
4.6%
Winston-Salem +
Poverty Rate
South Bend
22.6%
Winston-Salem
16.3%
Winston-Salem +
Bachelor's Degree+
South Bend
29.4%
Winston-Salem
45.8%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,512 | $63,900 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,511 | $46,062 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $59,120 | Winston-Salem + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 4.6% | Winston-Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.6% | 16.3% | Winston-Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | 45.8% | Winston-Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
South Bend
$194,972
South Bend +
Winston-Salem
$265,013
Homeownership Rate
South Bend
58.8%
South Bend +
Winston-Salem
46.8%
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $194,972 | $265,013 | South Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.8% | 46.8% | South Bend + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
South Bend
370
South Bend +
Winston-Salem
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
South Bend
1719
South Bend +
Winston-Salem
1999
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Winston-Salem, NC | 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%
South Bend +
Winston-Salem
42.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
South Bend
15.2%
Winston-Salem
13.1%
Winston-Salem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
South Bend
20.3%
Winston-Salem
17.4%
Winston-Salem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
South Bend
12.6%
South Bend +
Winston-Salem
12.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
South Bend
15.3%
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Winston-Salem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
South Bend
18.2%
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.7% | 42.7% | South Bend + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 13.1% | Winston-Salem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.3% | 17.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 12.8% | South Bend + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 14.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 14.4% | Winston-Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
South Bend
49.8°F
Winston-Salem
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
South Bend
38.0 in
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Winston-Salem, NC | 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
Winston-Salem
8.7 µg/m³
Winston-Salem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
South Bend
55.0%
Winston-Salem
75.0%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Winston-Salem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Winston-Salem + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
South Bend
21.6 min
Winston-Salem
20.0 min
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 20.0 min | Winston-Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Winston-Salem leads in median household income at $63,900, 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 Winston-Salem. Winston-Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Winston-Salem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, South Bend scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.7%.
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