South Bend-Mishawaka and Canton-Massillon receive effectively the same standardized Area Score. Which fits you better depends on which dimensions you weight — the differences below are where they actually diverge.
Signals
Measured values
| Metric | South Bend-Mishawaka | Canton-Massillon | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 324,560 | 400,372 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $67,217 | $67,801 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $37,216 | $36,664 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 342/sq mi | 413/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $196,600 | $186,200 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $1,046 | $908 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 71.1% | 69.9% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Unemployment rate | 4.1% | 3.8% | June 2026 |
| Employment change (year over year) | -1.1% | -0.6% | June 2026 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31.5% | 25.2% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 13.8% | 12.5% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 1,058 | 655 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 3.3 | 1.6 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | 21.3% | 18.2% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 83°F | 84°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 17°F | 20°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 39.2" | 41.6" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 11 mi | 17 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 23.2 min | 23.9 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 37.9 | 42.1 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
A bolded value is the more favorable of the two where the metric has a clear direction. Metrics like population and density have no inherent better or worse and are shown unweighted.
Physical risk tradeoff
South Bend-Mishawaka
No hazard reaches elevated exposure.
Canton-Massillon
Elevated or high exposure: hail.
Your best match
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Full profiles: South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI Metro Area · Canton-Massillon, OH Metro Area · How this is calculated: methodology