Mesa AZ 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)
Mesa, AZ
Arizona · Population: 507,478
- Median HH Income$78,779
- Median Home Price$435,670
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
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
Mesa
507,478
Mesa +
South Bend
102,866
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Mesa
N/A
South Bend
N/A
Median Age
Mesa
37.2
South Bend
33.9
South Bend +
Foreign Born
Mesa
11.2%
Mesa +
South Bend
8.9%
White
Mesa
69.7%
Mesa +
South Bend
54.1%
Black
Mesa
4.4%
South Bend
24.4%
South Bend +
Asian
Mesa
2.5%
Mesa +
South Bend
1.7%
Hispanic
Mesa
26.6%
Mesa +
South Bend
17.3%
Spanish at Home
Mesa
N/A
South Bend
N/A
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 507,478 | 102,866 | Mesa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 33.9 | South Bend + |
| Foreign Born | 11.2% | 8.9% | Mesa + |
| White | 69.7% | 54.1% | Mesa + |
| Black | 4.4% | 24.4% | South Bend + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 1.7% | Mesa + |
| Hispanic | 26.6% | 17.3% | Mesa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Mesa
$78,779
Mesa +
South Bend
$52,512
Per Capita Income
Mesa
$39,586
Mesa +
South Bend
$29,511
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Mesa
$59,120
Mesa +
South Bend
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Mesa
4.6%
Mesa +
South Bend
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Mesa
10.5%
Mesa +
South Bend
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Mesa
31.5%
Mesa +
South Bend
29.4%
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,779 | $52,512 | Mesa + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,586 | $29,511 | Mesa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $58,697 | Mesa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 6.0% | Mesa + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.5% | 22.6% | Mesa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.5% | 29.4% | Mesa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Mesa
$435,670
South Bend
$194,972
South Bend +
Homeownership Rate
Mesa
64.3%
Mesa +
South Bend
58.8%
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $435,670 | $194,972 | South Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.3% | 58.8% | Mesa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mesa
450
South Bend
370
South Bend +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mesa
2150
South Bend
1719
South Bend +
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 370 | South Bend + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 1719 | South Bend + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Mesa
30.7%
Mesa +
South Bend
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Mesa
10.6%
Mesa +
South Bend
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Mesa
15.5%
Mesa +
South Bend
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Mesa
13.0%
South Bend
12.6%
South Bend +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Mesa
16.1%
South Bend
15.3%
South Bend +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Mesa
11.4%
Mesa +
South Bend
18.2%
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.7% | 39.7% | Mesa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 15.2% | Mesa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 20.3% | Mesa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 12.6% | South Bend + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 15.3% | South Bend + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 18.2% | Mesa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mesa
71.8°F
South Bend
49.8°F
South Bend +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mesa
11.7 in
Mesa +
South Bend
38.0 in
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 71.8°F | 49.8°F | South Bend + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 11.7 in | 38.0 in | Mesa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Mesa
7.1 µg/m³
Mesa +
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Mesa
75.0%
Mesa +
South Bend
55.0%
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Mesa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Mesa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Mesa
26.7 min
South Bend
21.6 min
South Bend +
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.7 min | 21.6 min | South Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
Mesa leads in median household income at $78,779, 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 450 in Mesa. Mesa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Mesa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Mesa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.7%.
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