Palmdale CA 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)
Palmdale, CA
California · Population: 44,998
- Median HH Income$71,979
- Median Home Price$503,393
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+45.1%
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
Palmdale
44,998
South Bend
102,866
South Bend +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Palmdale
N/A
South Bend
N/A
Median Age
Palmdale
57.8
South Bend
33.9
South Bend +
Foreign Born
Palmdale
17.2%
Palmdale +
South Bend
8.9%
White
Palmdale
69.3%
Palmdale +
South Bend
54.1%
Black
Palmdale
5.4%
South Bend
24.4%
South Bend +
Asian
Palmdale
4.5%
Palmdale +
South Bend
1.7%
Hispanic
Palmdale
24.3%
Palmdale +
South Bend
17.3%
Spanish at Home
Palmdale
N/A
South Bend
N/A
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 44,998 | 102,866 | South Bend + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 57.8 | 33.9 | South Bend + |
| Foreign Born | 17.2% | 8.9% | Palmdale + |
| White | 69.3% | 54.1% | Palmdale + |
| Black | 5.4% | 24.4% | South Bend + |
| Asian | 4.5% | 1.7% | Palmdale + |
| Hispanic | 24.3% | 17.3% | Palmdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Palmdale
$71,979
Palmdale +
South Bend
$52,512
Per Capita Income
Palmdale
$64,811
Palmdale +
South Bend
$29,511
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Palmdale
$77,230
Palmdale +
South Bend
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Palmdale
8.2%
South Bend
6.0%
South Bend +
Poverty Rate
Palmdale
13.7%
Palmdale +
South Bend
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Palmdale
45.1%
Palmdale +
South Bend
29.4%
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,979 | $52,512 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,811 | $29,511 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $58,697 | Palmdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 6.0% | South Bend + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.7% | 22.6% | Palmdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.1% | 29.4% | Palmdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Palmdale
$503,393
South Bend
$194,972
South Bend +
Homeownership Rate
Palmdale
65.0%
Palmdale +
South Bend
58.8%
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $503,393 | $194,972 | South Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.0% | 58.8% | Palmdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palmdale
503
South Bend
370
South Bend +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palmdale
2388
South Bend
1719
South Bend +
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 370 | South Bend + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1719 | South Bend + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
30.3%
Palmdale +
South Bend
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
12.8%
Palmdale +
South Bend
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Palmdale
18.6%
Palmdale +
South Bend
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
15.7%
South Bend
12.6%
South Bend +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
15.8%
South Bend
15.3%
South Bend +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
13.1%
Palmdale +
South Bend
18.2%
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.3% | 39.7% | Palmdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 15.2% | Palmdale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 20.3% | Palmdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 12.6% | South Bend + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 15.3% | South Bend + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 18.2% | Palmdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palmdale
63.5°F
South Bend
49.8°F
South Bend +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palmdale
7.4 in
Palmdale +
South Bend
38.0 in
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.5°F | 49.8°F | South Bend + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 7.4 in | 38.0 in | Palmdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Palmdale
7.9 µg/m³
Palmdale +
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Palmdale
75.0%
Palmdale +
South Bend
55.0%
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Palmdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Palmdale + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Palmdale
24.1 min
South Bend
21.6 min
South Bend +
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 21.6 min | South Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
Palmdale leads in median household income at $71,979, 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 503 in Palmdale. South Bend has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Palmdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Palmdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Palmdale, CALos Angeles, CA vs Palmdale, CAChicago, IL vs Palmdale, CAHouston, TX vs Palmdale, CAPalmdale, CA vs Phoenix, AZPalmdale, CA vs Philadelphia, PA