Provo UT 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)
Provo, UT
Utah · Population: 114,303
- Median HH Income$62,800
- Median Home Price$486,127
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+45.0%
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
Provo
114,303
Provo +
South Bend
102,866
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Provo
N/A
South Bend
N/A
Median Age
Provo
23.7
Provo +
South Bend
33.9
Foreign Born
Provo
12.2%
Provo +
South Bend
8.9%
White
Provo
78.6%
Provo +
South Bend
54.1%
Black
Provo
1.1%
South Bend
24.4%
South Bend +
Asian
Provo
2.2%
Provo +
South Bend
1.7%
Hispanic
Provo
18.9%
Provo +
South Bend
17.3%
Spanish at Home
Provo
N/A
South Bend
N/A
| Metric | Provo, UT | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,303 | 102,866 | Provo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 23.7 | 33.9 | Provo + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 8.9% | Provo + |
| White | 78.6% | 54.1% | Provo + |
| Black | 1.1% | 24.4% | South Bend + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 1.7% | Provo + |
| Hispanic | 18.9% | 17.3% | Provo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Provo
$62,800
Provo +
South Bend
$52,512
Per Capita Income
Provo
$26,755
South Bend
$29,511
South Bend +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Provo
$60,713
Provo +
South Bend
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Provo
4.7%
Provo +
South Bend
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Provo
22.3%
Provo +
South Bend
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Provo
45.0%
Provo +
South Bend
29.4%
| Metric | Provo, UT | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,800 | $52,512 | Provo + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,755 | $29,511 | South Bend + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $60,713 | $58,697 | Provo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 6.0% | Provo + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.3% | 22.6% | Provo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.0% | 29.4% | Provo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Provo
$486,127
South Bend
$194,972
South Bend +
Homeownership Rate
Provo
39.9%
South Bend
58.8%
South Bend +
| Metric | Provo, UT | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $486,127 | $194,972 | South Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.9% | 58.8% | South Bend + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Provo
245
Provo +
South Bend
370
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Provo
1931
South Bend
1719
South Bend +
| Metric | Provo, UT | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 245 | 370 | Provo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1931 | 1719 | South Bend + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Provo
30.7%
Provo +
South Bend
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Provo
6.1%
Provo +
South Bend
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Provo
21.5%
South Bend
20.3%
South Bend +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Provo
12.6%
South Bend
12.6%
Tie
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Provo
8.7%
Provo +
South Bend
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Provo
7.0%
Provo +
South Bend
18.2%
| Metric | Provo, UT | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.7% | 39.7% | Provo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 15.2% | Provo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.5% | 20.3% | South Bend + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 12.6% | Tie |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 15.3% | Provo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.0% | 18.2% | Provo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Provo
53.4°F
South Bend
49.8°F
South Bend +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Provo
19.8 in
Provo +
South Bend
38.0 in
| Metric | Provo, UT | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.4°F | 49.8°F | South Bend + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 19.8 in | 38.0 in | Provo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Provo
7.0 µg/m³
Provo +
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Provo
75.0%
Provo +
South Bend
55.0%
| Metric | Provo, UT | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.0 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Provo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Provo + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Provo
20.1 min
Provo +
South Bend
21.6 min
| Metric | Provo, UT | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 21.6 min | Provo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Provo leads in median household income at $62,800, while south Bend offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $194,972. On public safety, Provo is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in South Bend. Provo has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Provo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Provo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.7%.
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