Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Modesto, CA
VS
South Bend, IN
🏆 South Bend leads 13 of 23 categories
Modesto
California
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
105.0⚠ High
Median Household Income
$73,375 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
173⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
218,308 ✓ Larger
South Bend
Indiana
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
91.4 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$49,056
Violent Crime Index
254⚠ High
Population
103,084
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Modesto, CA
Pros
Households earn $24,319 more per year on average
32% less violent crime than South Bend
Milder winters — January highs near 56°F vs 32°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $381,800
Higher rents — median is $1,497/mo
Violent crime (655.7/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Cost of living runs 14% higher than South Bend
South Bend, IN
Pros
Homes cost $268k less ($113,800 vs $381,800)
Rent averages $562/mo less ($935 vs $1,497)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.3 pts lower (5.5%)
Commutes run 9 min shorter each way
14% cheaper overall cost of living than Modesto
More college-educated — 28.8% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Median income trails Modesto by $24,319/yr
Violent crime (965.0/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Snowy winters — about 65" of snow per year
Key Differences at a Glance
Modesto
Median Income
$24,319
$73,375 vs $49,056/yr
Modesto
Violent Crime
32% lower
655.7 vs 965.0 per 100k
Modesto
Summer Heat
12.0°F warmer
July avg high 95.0°F vs 83.0°F
South Bend
Cost of Living
14% cheaper
COL index 91.4 vs 105.0 (100 = US avg)
South Bend
Median Home Value
$268k less
$113,800 vs $381,800
South Bend
Unemployment
2.3 pp lower
5.5% vs 7.8% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Modesto, CA | South Bend, IN |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 105.0⚠ High | 91.4 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $381,800⚠ High | $113,800 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,497⚠ High | $935 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $73,375 ✓ Higher | $49,056 |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.8%⚠ High | 5.5%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 29.4 min⚠ High | 20.4 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 6.9% | 8.9% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 150⚠ High ✓ Safer | 191⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 173⚠ High ✓ Safer | 254⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 115⚠ High | 97 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C- (65) | B (99) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 21.8:1 | 12.6:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 19.7% | 28.8% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 83.6% | 87.2% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Modesto City Elementary | South Bend Community School Corp |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 56.1°F ✓ Warmer | 31.8°F |
| Avg High — July | 95.0°F ✓ Warmer | 83.0°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 12.3" ✓ Drier | 40.9" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 64.5" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 218,308 ✓ Larger | 103,084 |
| Median Age | 34.9 ✓ Older | 33.4 |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.7% | 58.5% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 26.5% | 26.9% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 13.9% ✓ More | 13.7% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Modesto's cost of living index is 105.0 vs South Bend's 91.4 (US average = 100).
South Bend is 14% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, South Bend leads 13 of 23 categories. Modesto wins 10 and South Bend wins 13. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Modesto to South Bend or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($381,800 vs $113,800 median home), income ($73,375 vs $49,056), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Modesto, CA and South Bend, IN are about 1,856 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.