Lubbock 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)
Lubbock, TX
Texas · Population: 261,078
- Median HH Income$60,487
- Median Home Price$210,477
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+34.9%
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
Lubbock
261,078
Lubbock +
South Bend
102,866
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lubbock
N/A
South Bend
N/A
Median Age
Lubbock
30.4
Lubbock +
South Bend
33.9
Foreign Born
Lubbock
6.2%
South Bend
8.9%
South Bend +
White
Lubbock
64.6%
Lubbock +
South Bend
54.1%
Black
Lubbock
8.3%
South Bend
24.4%
South Bend +
Asian
Lubbock
2.8%
Lubbock +
South Bend
1.7%
Hispanic
Lubbock
36.8%
Lubbock +
South Bend
17.3%
Spanish at Home
Lubbock
N/A
South Bend
N/A
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 261,078 | 102,866 | Lubbock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.4 | 33.9 | Lubbock + |
| Foreign Born | 6.2% | 8.9% | South Bend + |
| White | 64.6% | 54.1% | Lubbock + |
| Black | 8.3% | 24.4% | South Bend + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 1.7% | Lubbock + |
| Hispanic | 36.8% | 17.3% | Lubbock + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lubbock
$60,487
Lubbock +
South Bend
$52,512
Per Capita Income
Lubbock
$34,629
Lubbock +
South Bend
$29,511
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lubbock
$63,758
Lubbock +
South Bend
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Lubbock
4.8%
Lubbock +
South Bend
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Lubbock
19.0%
Lubbock +
South Bend
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lubbock
34.9%
Lubbock +
South Bend
29.4%
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,487 | $52,512 | Lubbock + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,629 | $29,511 | Lubbock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $58,697 | Lubbock + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 6.0% | Lubbock + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.0% | 22.6% | Lubbock + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.9% | 29.4% | Lubbock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lubbock
$210,477
South Bend
$194,972
South Bend +
Homeownership Rate
Lubbock
50.8%
South Bend
58.8%
South Bend +
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,477 | $194,972 | South Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | 58.8% | South Bend + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lubbock
442
South Bend
370
South Bend +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lubbock
2339
South Bend
1719
South Bend +
| Metric | Lubbock, 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
Lubbock
35.8%
Lubbock +
South Bend
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
11.8%
Lubbock +
South Bend
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lubbock
18.5%
Lubbock +
South Bend
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
18.4%
South Bend
12.6%
South Bend +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
17.6%
South Bend
15.3%
South Bend +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
13.0%
Lubbock +
South Bend
18.2%
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 39.7% | Lubbock + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 15.2% | Lubbock + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 20.3% | Lubbock + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 12.6% | South Bend + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 15.3% | South Bend + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 18.2% | Lubbock + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lubbock
N/A
South Bend
49.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lubbock
21.1 in
Lubbock +
South Bend
38.0 in
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 49.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 21.1 in | 38.0 in | Lubbock + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lubbock
9.2 µg/m³
Lubbock +
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lubbock
55.0%
South Bend
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Lubbock + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lubbock
17.4 min
Lubbock +
South Bend
21.6 min
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 17.4 min | 21.6 min | Lubbock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lubbock leads in median household income at $60,487, 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 Lubbock. Lubbock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Lubbock has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lubbock scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
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