Plano 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)
Plano, TX
Texas · Population: 287,339
- Median HH Income$108,649
- Median Home Price$507,575
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
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
Plano
287,339
Plano +
South Bend
102,866
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Plano
N/A
South Bend
N/A
Median Age
Plano
39.3
South Bend
33.9
South Bend +
Foreign Born
Plano
28.7%
Plano +
South Bend
8.9%
White
Plano
53.2%
South Bend
54.1%
South Bend +
Black
Plano
9.0%
South Bend
24.4%
South Bend +
Asian
Plano
22.6%
Plano +
South Bend
1.7%
Hispanic
Plano
16.2%
South Bend
17.3%
South Bend +
Spanish at Home
Plano
N/A
South Bend
N/A
| Metric | Plano, TX | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 287,339 | 102,866 | Plano + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.3 | 33.9 | South Bend + |
| Foreign Born | 28.7% | 8.9% | Plano + |
| White | 53.2% | 54.1% | South Bend + |
| Black | 9.0% | 24.4% | South Bend + |
| Asian | 22.6% | 1.7% | Plano + |
| Hispanic | 16.2% | 17.3% | South Bend + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Plano
$108,649
Plano +
South Bend
$52,512
Per Capita Income
Plano
$57,753
Plano +
South Bend
$29,511
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Plano
$63,758
Plano +
South Bend
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Plano
4.1%
Plano +
South Bend
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Plano
7.1%
Plano +
South Bend
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Plano
59.2%
Plano +
South Bend
29.4%
| Metric | Plano, TX | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $108,649 | $52,512 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,753 | $29,511 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $58,697 | Plano + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.1% | 6.0% | Plano + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.1% | 22.6% | Plano + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.2% | 29.4% | Plano + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Plano
$507,575
South Bend
$194,972
South Bend +
Homeownership Rate
Plano
56.6%
South Bend
58.8%
South Bend +
| Metric | Plano, TX | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $507,575 | $194,972 | South Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.6% | 58.8% | South Bend + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Plano
442
South Bend
370
South Bend +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Plano
2339
South Bend
1719
South Bend +
| Metric | Plano, 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
Plano
31.2%
Plano +
South Bend
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Plano
9.9%
Plano +
South Bend
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Plano
14.0%
Plano +
South Bend
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Plano
10.3%
Plano +
South Bend
12.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Plano
16.4%
South Bend
15.3%
South Bend +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Plano
8.8%
Plano +
South Bend
18.2%
| Metric | Plano, TX | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.2% | 39.7% | Plano + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 15.2% | Plano + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.0% | 20.3% | Plano + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 12.6% | Plano + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 15.3% | South Bend + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 18.2% | Plano + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Plano
N/A
South Bend
49.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Plano
N/A
South Bend
38.0 in
| Metric | Plano, TX | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 49.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 38.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Plano
9.2 µg/m³
Plano +
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Plano
55.0%
South Bend
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Plano, TX | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Plano + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Plano
27.6 min
South Bend
21.6 min
South Bend +
| Metric | Plano, TX | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.6 min | 21.6 min | South Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
Plano leads in median household income at $108,649, 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 Plano. Plano has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Plano has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Plano scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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