South Bend, IN vs Springfield, IL
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
South Bend
74.2
#628 nationally
Springfield
79.7
#112 nationally
Springfield leads in median household income ($62,419 vs $49,056). Springfield leads in average commute (17.6 min vs 20.4 min). South Bend leads in walk score (42 vs 38).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Springfield, IL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 74.2 (#628) | 79.7 (#112) |
| Population | 103,395 | 112,544 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $202,170 | $174,630 |
| Median Household Income | $49,056 | $62,419 |
| Average Commute | 20.4 min | 17.6 min |
| Walk Score | 42 | 38 |
| Crime Level | 26.4 | 24.7 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 84 | 92 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+1.5 | R+5.0 |
C
74.2 Score
South Bend, IN
Mid-size Indiana city with community character
Median Home
$202,170
Population
103,395
Crime
Very High
Walk Score
42
Midwest
View South Bend, IN →
C+
79.7 Score
Springfield, IL
Mid-size Illinois city with community character
Median Home
$174,630
Population
112,544
Crime
High
Walk Score
38
Midwest
View Springfield, IL →
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