Port St. Lucie FL 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)
Port St. Lucie, FL
Florida · Population: 220,453
- Median HH Income$78,137
- Median Home Price$327,700
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+26.8%
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
Port St. Lucie
220,453
Port St. Lucie +
South Bend
102,866
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Port St. Lucie
N/A
South Bend
N/A
Median Age
Port St. Lucie
43.7
South Bend
33.9
South Bend +
Foreign Born
Port St. Lucie
19.5%
Port St. Lucie +
South Bend
8.9%
White
Port St. Lucie
60.0%
Port St. Lucie +
South Bend
54.1%
Black
Port St. Lucie
19.2%
South Bend
24.4%
South Bend +
Asian
Port St. Lucie
2.2%
Port St. Lucie +
South Bend
1.7%
Hispanic
Port St. Lucie
23.0%
Port St. Lucie +
South Bend
17.3%
Spanish at Home
Port St. Lucie
N/A
South Bend
N/A
| Metric | Port St. Lucie, FL | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 220,453 | 102,866 | Port St. Lucie + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 43.7 | 33.9 | South Bend + |
| Foreign Born | 19.5% | 8.9% | Port St. Lucie + |
| White | 60.0% | 54.1% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Black | 19.2% | 24.4% | South Bend + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 1.7% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Hispanic | 23.0% | 17.3% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Port St. Lucie
$78,137
Port St. Lucie +
South Bend
$52,512
Per Capita Income
Port St. Lucie
$36,352
Port St. Lucie +
South Bend
$29,511
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Port St. Lucie
$65,328
Port St. Lucie +
South Bend
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Port St. Lucie
5.5%
Port St. Lucie +
South Bend
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Port St. Lucie
8.5%
Port St. Lucie +
South Bend
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Port St. Lucie
26.8%
South Bend
29.4%
South Bend +
| Metric | Port St. Lucie, FL | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,137 | $52,512 | Port St. Lucie + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,352 | $29,511 | Port St. Lucie + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $58,697 | Port St. Lucie + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 6.0% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.5% | 22.6% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.8% | 29.4% | South Bend + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Port St. Lucie
$327,700
South Bend
$194,972
South Bend +
Homeownership Rate
Port St. Lucie
83.2%
Port St. Lucie +
South Bend
58.8%
| Metric | Port St. Lucie, FL | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $327,700 | $194,972 | South Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 83.2% | 58.8% | Port St. Lucie + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Port St. Lucie
324
Port St. Lucie +
South Bend
370
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Port St. Lucie
1453
Port St. Lucie +
South Bend
1719
| Metric | Port St. Lucie, FL | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 370 | Port St. Lucie + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1719 | Port St. Lucie + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Port St. Lucie
30.5%
Port St. Lucie +
South Bend
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Port St. Lucie
13.1%
Port St. Lucie +
South Bend
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Port St. Lucie
16.6%
Port St. Lucie +
South Bend
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Port St. Lucie
14.5%
South Bend
12.6%
South Bend +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Port St. Lucie
14.5%
Port St. Lucie +
South Bend
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Port St. Lucie
12.9%
Port St. Lucie +
South Bend
18.2%
| Metric | Port St. Lucie, FL | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.5% | 39.7% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 15.2% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.6% | 20.3% | Port St. Lucie + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.5% | 12.6% | South Bend + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.5% | 15.3% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 18.2% | Port St. Lucie + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Port St. Lucie
N/A
South Bend
49.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Port St. Lucie
N/A
South Bend
38.0 in
| Metric | Port St. Lucie, FL | 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.)
Port St. Lucie
7.2 µg/m³
Port St. Lucie +
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Port St. Lucie
75.0%
Port St. Lucie +
South Bend
55.0%
| Metric | Port St. Lucie, FL | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Port St. Lucie + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Port St. Lucie + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Port St. Lucie
32.0 min
South Bend
21.6 min
South Bend +
| Metric | Port St. Lucie, FL | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.0 min | 21.6 min | South Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
Port St. Lucie leads in median household income at $78,137, while south Bend offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $194,972. On public safety, Port St. Lucie is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in South Bend. Port St. Lucie has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Port St. Lucie has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Port St. Lucie scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.5%.
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