Clearwater FL vs South Bend IN — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Clearwater, FL
Florida · Population: 117,075
- Median HH Income$64,440
- Median Home Price$341,503
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+32.5%
South Bend, IN
Indiana · Population: 102,866
- Median HH Income$52,512
- Median Home Price$194,972
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+29.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Clearwater
117,075
Clearwater +
South Bend
102,866
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Clearwater
N/A
South Bend
N/A
Median Age
Clearwater
46.4
South Bend
33.9
South Bend +
Foreign Born
Clearwater
17.0%
Clearwater +
South Bend
8.9%
White
Clearwater
70.3%
Clearwater +
South Bend
54.1%
Black
Clearwater
10.2%
South Bend
24.4%
South Bend +
Asian
Clearwater
3.6%
Clearwater +
South Bend
1.7%
Hispanic
Clearwater
17.1%
South Bend
17.3%
South Bend +
Spanish at Home
Clearwater
N/A
South Bend
N/A
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,075 | 102,866 | Clearwater + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 46.4 | 33.9 | South Bend + |
| Foreign Born | 17.0% | 8.9% | Clearwater + |
| White | 70.3% | 54.1% | Clearwater + |
| Black | 10.2% | 24.4% | South Bend + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 1.7% | Clearwater + |
| Hispanic | 17.1% | 17.3% | South Bend + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Clearwater
$64,440
Clearwater +
South Bend
$52,512
Per Capita Income
Clearwater
$42,934
Clearwater +
South Bend
$29,511
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Clearwater
$65,328
Clearwater +
South Bend
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Clearwater
4.7%
Clearwater +
South Bend
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Clearwater
15.4%
Clearwater +
South Bend
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Clearwater
32.5%
Clearwater +
South Bend
29.4%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,440 | $52,512 | Clearwater + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,934 | $29,511 | Clearwater + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $58,697 | Clearwater + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 6.0% | Clearwater + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.4% | 22.6% | Clearwater + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.5% | 29.4% | Clearwater + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Clearwater
$341,503
South Bend
$194,972
South Bend +
Homeownership Rate
Clearwater
59.1%
Clearwater +
South Bend
58.8%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,503 | $194,972 | South Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.1% | 58.8% | Clearwater + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
324
Clearwater +
South Bend
370
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
1453
Clearwater +
South Bend
1719
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 370 | Clearwater + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1719 | Clearwater + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
33.3%
Clearwater +
South Bend
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
13.5%
Clearwater +
South Bend
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Clearwater
16.8%
Clearwater +
South Bend
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.7%
South Bend
12.6%
South Bend +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
15.6%
South Bend
15.3%
South Bend +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.0%
Clearwater +
South Bend
18.2%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.3% | 39.7% | Clearwater + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 15.2% | Clearwater + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 20.3% | Clearwater + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 12.6% | South Bend + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 15.3% | South Bend + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 18.2% | Clearwater + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
73.8°F
South Bend
49.8°F
South Bend +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
54.7 in
South Bend
38.0 in
South Bend +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 73.8°F | 49.8°F | South Bend + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.7 in | 38.0 in | South Bend + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Clearwater
7.2 µg/m³
Clearwater +
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Clearwater
75.0%
Clearwater +
South Bend
55.0%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Clearwater + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Clearwater + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Clearwater
25.3 min
South Bend
21.6 min
South Bend +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.3 min | 21.6 min | South Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
Clearwater leads in median household income at $64,440, while south Bend offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $194,972. On public safety, Clearwater is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in South Bend. Clearwater has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Clearwater has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Clearwater scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.3%.
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