Garland 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)
Garland, TX
Texas · Population: 245,298
- Median HH Income$74,717
- Median Home Price$289,605
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+25.0%
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
Garland
245,298
Garland +
South Bend
102,866
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Garland
N/A
South Bend
N/A
Median Age
Garland
34.7
South Bend
33.9
South Bend +
Foreign Born
Garland
31.2%
Garland +
South Bend
8.9%
White
Garland
37.5%
South Bend
54.1%
South Bend +
Black
Garland
15.3%
South Bend
24.4%
South Bend +
Asian
Garland
11.2%
Garland +
South Bend
1.7%
Hispanic
Garland
45.0%
Garland +
South Bend
17.3%
Spanish at Home
Garland
N/A
South Bend
N/A
| Metric | Garland, TX | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 245,298 | 102,866 | Garland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 33.9 | South Bend + |
| Foreign Born | 31.2% | 8.9% | Garland + |
| White | 37.5% | 54.1% | South Bend + |
| Black | 15.3% | 24.4% | South Bend + |
| Asian | 11.2% | 1.7% | Garland + |
| Hispanic | 45.0% | 17.3% | Garland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Garland
$74,717
Garland +
South Bend
$52,512
Per Capita Income
Garland
$31,477
Garland +
South Bend
$29,511
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Garland
$63,758
Garland +
South Bend
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Garland
4.9%
Garland +
South Bend
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Garland
12.3%
Garland +
South Bend
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Garland
25.0%
South Bend
29.4%
South Bend +
| Metric | Garland, TX | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $74,717 | $52,512 | Garland + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,477 | $29,511 | Garland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $58,697 | Garland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 6.0% | Garland + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | 22.6% | Garland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.0% | 29.4% | South Bend + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Garland
$289,605
South Bend
$194,972
South Bend +
Homeownership Rate
Garland
61.6%
Garland +
South Bend
58.8%
| Metric | Garland, TX | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $289,605 | $194,972 | South Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.6% | 58.8% | Garland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garland
442
South Bend
370
South Bend +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garland
2339
South Bend
1719
South Bend +
| Metric | Garland, 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
Garland
34.7%
Garland +
South Bend
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Garland
13.0%
Garland +
South Bend
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Garland
17.3%
Garland +
South Bend
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Garland
22.6%
South Bend
12.6%
South Bend +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Garland
16.1%
South Bend
15.3%
South Bend +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Garland
13.1%
Garland +
South Bend
18.2%
| Metric | Garland, TX | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 39.7% | Garland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 15.2% | Garland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 20.3% | Garland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.6% | 12.6% | South Bend + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 15.3% | South Bend + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 18.2% | Garland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garland
69.1°F
South Bend
49.8°F
South Bend +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garland
49.5 in
South Bend
38.0 in
South Bend +
| Metric | Garland, TX | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 69.1°F | 49.8°F | South Bend + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.5 in | 38.0 in | South Bend + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Garland
9.2 µg/m³
Garland +
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Garland
55.0%
South Bend
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Garland, TX | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Garland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Garland
32.5 min
South Bend
21.6 min
South Bend +
| Metric | Garland, TX | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.5 min | 21.6 min | South Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
Garland leads in median household income at $74,717, 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 Garland. Garland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Garland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Garland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.7%.
Compare More Cities
Garland, TX vs New York, NYGarland, TX vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Garland, TXGarland, TX vs Houston, TXGarland, TX vs Phoenix, AZGarland, TX vs Philadelphia, PA