Houston 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)
Houston, TX
Texas · Population: 2,300,419
- Median HH Income$62,894
- Median Home Price$265,062
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.0%
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
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
South Bend
102,866
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Houston
N/A
South Bend
N/A
Median Age
Houston
34.3
South Bend
33.9
South Bend +
Foreign Born
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
South Bend
8.9%
White
Houston
35.5%
South Bend
54.1%
South Bend +
Black
Houston
22.9%
South Bend
24.4%
South Bend +
Asian
Houston
6.9%
Houston +
South Bend
1.7%
Hispanic
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
South Bend
17.3%
Spanish at Home
Houston
N/A
South Bend
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 102,866 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 33.9 | South Bend + |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | 8.9% | Houston + |
| White | 35.5% | 54.1% | South Bend + |
| Black | 22.9% | 24.4% | South Bend + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 1.7% | Houston + |
| Hispanic | 44.1% | 17.3% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Houston
$62,894
Houston +
South Bend
$52,512
Per Capita Income
Houston
$41,142
Houston +
South Bend
$29,511
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Houston
$63,758
Houston +
South Bend
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Houston
6.7%
South Bend
6.0%
South Bend +
Poverty Rate
Houston
19.7%
Houston +
South Bend
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Houston
36.0%
Houston +
South Bend
29.4%
| Metric | Houston, TX | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,894 | $52,512 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,142 | $29,511 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $58,697 | Houston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 6.0% | South Bend + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 22.6% | Houston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.0% | 29.4% | Houston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Houston
$265,062
South Bend
$194,972
South Bend +
Homeownership Rate
Houston
42.0%
South Bend
58.8%
South Bend +
| Metric | Houston, TX | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,062 | $194,972 | South Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 58.8% | South Bend + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
442
South Bend
370
South Bend +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
2339
South Bend
1719
South Bend +
| Metric | Houston, 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
Houston
38.0%
Houston +
South Bend
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.9%
Houston +
South Bend
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Houston
17.1%
Houston +
South Bend
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Houston
24.0%
South Bend
12.6%
South Bend +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Houston
16.7%
South Bend
15.3%
South Bend +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.6%
Houston +
South Bend
18.2%
| Metric | Houston, TX | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 39.7% | Houston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 15.2% | Houston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 20.3% | Houston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 12.6% | South Bend + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 15.3% | South Bend + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 18.2% | Houston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
N/A
South Bend
49.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
48.7 in
South Bend
38.0 in
South Bend +
| Metric | Houston, TX | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 49.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7 in | 38.0 in | South Bend + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Houston +
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Houston
55.0%
South Bend
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Houston, TX | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Houston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Houston
29.6 min
South Bend
21.6 min
South Bend +
| Metric | Houston, TX | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 21.6 min | South Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
Houston leads in median household income at $62,894, 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 Houston. South Bend has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Houston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Houston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.0%.
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