Grand Island NE 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)
Grand Island, NE
Nebraska · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$254,245
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
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
Grand Island
N/A
South Bend
102,866
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Island
N/A
South Bend
N/A
Median Age
Grand Island
N/A
South Bend
33.9
Foreign Born
Grand Island
N/A
South Bend
8.9%
White
Grand Island
N/A
South Bend
54.1%
Black
Grand Island
N/A
South Bend
24.4%
Asian
Grand Island
N/A
South Bend
1.7%
Hispanic
Grand Island
N/A
South Bend
17.3%
Spanish at Home
Grand Island
N/A
South Bend
N/A
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 102,866 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 33.9 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 8.9% | - |
| White | N/A | 54.1% | - |
| Black | N/A | 24.4% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 1.7% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 17.3% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Island
N/A
South Bend
$52,512
Per Capita Income
Grand Island
N/A
South Bend
$29,511
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Island
$66,354
Grand Island +
South Bend
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Grand Island
N/A
South Bend
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Grand Island
N/A
South Bend
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Island
N/A
South Bend
29.4%
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $52,512 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $29,511 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $66,354 | $58,697 | Grand Island + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 6.0% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 22.6% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 29.4% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Island
$254,245
South Bend
$194,972
South Bend +
Homeownership Rate
Grand Island
N/A
South Bend
58.8%
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $254,245 | $194,972 | South Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 58.8% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Island
294
Grand Island +
South Bend
370
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Island
1960
South Bend
1719
South Bend +
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 294 | 370 | Grand Island + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1960 | 1719 | South Bend + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
41.5%
South Bend
39.7%
South Bend +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
11.6%
Grand Island +
South Bend
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Island
14.4%
Grand Island +
South Bend
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
17.5%
South Bend
12.6%
South Bend +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
19.1%
South Bend
15.3%
South Bend +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
14.8%
Grand Island +
South Bend
18.2%
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.5% | 39.7% | South Bend + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 15.2% | Grand Island + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.4% | 20.3% | Grand Island + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 12.6% | South Bend + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 15.3% | South Bend + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 18.2% | Grand Island + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Island
50.8°F
South Bend
49.8°F
South Bend +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Island
26.7 in
Grand Island +
South Bend
38.0 in
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.8°F | 49.8°F | South Bend + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 26.7 in | 38.0 in | Grand Island + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Island
7.6 µg/m³
Grand Island +
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Island
75.0%
Grand Island +
South Bend
55.0%
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Grand Island + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Grand Island + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Island
N/A
South Bend
21.6 min
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 21.6 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
South Bend offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $194,972. On public safety, Grand Island is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in South Bend. Grand Island has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, South Bend scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.7%.
Compare More Cities
Grand Island, NE vs New York, NYGrand Island, NE vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Grand Island, NEGrand Island, NE vs Houston, TXGrand Island, NE vs Phoenix, AZGrand Island, NE vs Philadelphia, PA