South Bend IN vs Worcester MA — 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%
Worcester, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 205,501
- Median HH Income$67,544
- Median Home Price$435,532
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+34.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
South Bend
102,866
Worcester
205,501
Worcester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
South Bend
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
South Bend
33.9
South Bend +
Worcester
34.1
Foreign Born
South Bend
8.9%
Worcester
23.2%
Worcester +
White
South Bend
54.1%
Worcester
58.0%
Worcester +
Black
South Bend
24.4%
South Bend +
Worcester
12.1%
Asian
South Bend
1.7%
Worcester
6.9%
Worcester +
Hispanic
South Bend
17.3%
Worcester
24.9%
Worcester +
Spanish at Home
South Bend
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 102,866 | 205,501 | Worcester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.9 | 34.1 | South Bend + |
| Foreign Born | 8.9% | 23.2% | Worcester + |
| White | 54.1% | 58.0% | Worcester + |
| Black | 24.4% | 12.1% | South Bend + |
| Asian | 1.7% | 6.9% | Worcester + |
| Hispanic | 17.3% | 24.9% | Worcester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
South Bend
$52,512
Worcester
$67,544
Worcester +
Per Capita Income
South Bend
$29,511
Worcester
$35,825
Worcester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
South Bend
$58,697
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
South Bend
6.0%
South Bend +
Worcester
6.4%
Poverty Rate
South Bend
22.6%
Worcester
19.8%
Worcester +
Bachelor's Degree+
South Bend
29.4%
Worcester
34.1%
Worcester +
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,512 | $67,544 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,511 | $35,825 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 6.4% | South Bend + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.6% | 19.8% | Worcester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | 34.1% | Worcester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
South Bend
$194,972
South Bend +
Worcester
$435,532
Homeownership Rate
South Bend
58.8%
South Bend +
Worcester
42.4%
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $194,972 | $435,532 | South Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.8% | 42.4% | South Bend + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
South Bend
370
Worcester
326
Worcester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
South Bend
1719
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 326 | Worcester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1086 | Worcester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
South Bend
39.7%
Worcester
35.3%
Worcester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
South Bend
15.2%
Worcester
11.4%
Worcester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
South Bend
20.3%
Worcester
19.9%
Worcester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
South Bend
12.6%
Worcester
8.7%
Worcester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
South Bend
15.3%
South Bend +
Worcester
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
South Bend
18.2%
Worcester
14.5%
Worcester +
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.7% | 35.3% | Worcester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 11.4% | Worcester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.3% | 19.9% | Worcester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 8.7% | Worcester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 17.1% | South Bend + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 14.5% | Worcester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
South Bend
49.8°F
Worcester
47.9°F
Worcester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
South Bend
38.0 in
South Bend +
Worcester
48.1 in
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.8°F | 47.9°F | Worcester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.0 in | 48.1 in | South Bend + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
South Bend
55.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Worcester +
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Worcester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Worcester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
South Bend
21.6 min
South Bend +
Worcester
27.3 min
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 27.3 min | South Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
Worcester leads in median household income at $67,544, while south Bend offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $194,972. On public safety, Worcester is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in South Bend. South Bend has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Worcester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Worcester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.
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