El Paso TX 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)
El Paso, TX
Texas · Population: 678,147
- Median HH Income$58,734
- Median Home Price$235,994
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+27.5%
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
El Paso
678,147
El Paso +
South Bend
102,866
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
El Paso
N/A
South Bend
N/A
Median Age
El Paso
34.1
South Bend
33.9
South Bend +
Foreign Born
El Paso
22.3%
El Paso +
South Bend
8.9%
White
El Paso
39.3%
South Bend
54.1%
South Bend +
Black
El Paso
3.6%
South Bend
24.4%
South Bend +
Asian
El Paso
1.5%
South Bend
1.7%
South Bend +
Hispanic
El Paso
81.3%
El Paso +
South Bend
17.3%
Spanish at Home
El Paso
N/A
South Bend
N/A
| Metric | El Paso, TX | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 678,147 | 102,866 | El Paso + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 33.9 | South Bend + |
| Foreign Born | 22.3% | 8.9% | El Paso + |
| White | 39.3% | 54.1% | South Bend + |
| Black | 3.6% | 24.4% | South Bend + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 1.7% | South Bend + |
| Hispanic | 81.3% | 17.3% | El Paso + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
El Paso
$58,734
El Paso +
South Bend
$52,512
Per Capita Income
El Paso
$28,942
South Bend
$29,511
South Bend +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
El Paso
$63,758
El Paso +
South Bend
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
El Paso
6.2%
South Bend
6.0%
South Bend +
Poverty Rate
El Paso
18.4%
El Paso +
South Bend
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
El Paso
27.5%
South Bend
29.4%
South Bend +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,734 | $52,512 | El Paso + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,942 | $29,511 | South Bend + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $58,697 | El Paso + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | 6.0% | South Bend + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.4% | 22.6% | El Paso + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.5% | 29.4% | South Bend + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
El Paso
$235,994
South Bend
$194,972
South Bend +
Homeownership Rate
El Paso
60.2%
El Paso +
South Bend
58.8%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $235,994 | $194,972 | South Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 58.8% | El Paso + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
442
South Bend
370
South Bend +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
2339
South Bend
1719
South Bend +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 370 | South Bend + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1719 | South Bend + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
33.8%
El Paso +
South Bend
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.4%
South Bend
15.2%
South Bend +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
El Paso
17.2%
El Paso +
South Bend
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
El Paso
27.9%
South Bend
12.6%
South Bend +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.5%
South Bend
15.3%
South Bend +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
El Paso
12.2%
El Paso +
South Bend
18.2%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 39.7% | El Paso + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 15.2% | South Bend + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 20.3% | El Paso + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 27.9% | 12.6% | South Bend + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 15.3% | South Bend + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 18.2% | El Paso + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
64.3°F
South Bend
49.8°F
South Bend +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
10.5 in
El Paso +
South Bend
38.0 in
| Metric | El Paso, TX | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.3°F | 49.8°F | South Bend + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.5 in | 38.0 in | El Paso + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
El Paso
9.2 µg/m³
El Paso +
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
El Paso
55.0%
South Bend
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | El Paso, TX | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | El Paso + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
El Paso
25.1 min
South Bend
21.6 min
South Bend +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 21.6 min | South Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
El Paso leads in median household income at $58,734, while south Bend offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $194,972. On public safety, South Bend is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in El Paso. South Bend has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and El Paso has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, El Paso scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.8%.
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