San Marcos 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)
San Marcos, TX
Texas · Population: 99,507
- Median HH Income$64,146
- Median Home Price$313,452
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+24.9%
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
San Marcos
99,507
South Bend
102,866
South Bend +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
San Marcos
N/A
South Bend
N/A
Median Age
San Marcos
35.2
South Bend
33.9
South Bend +
Foreign Born
San Marcos
5.8%
South Bend
8.9%
South Bend +
White
San Marcos
66.6%
San Marcos +
South Bend
54.1%
Black
San Marcos
4.3%
South Bend
24.4%
South Bend +
Asian
San Marcos
1.4%
South Bend
1.7%
South Bend +
Hispanic
San Marcos
42.2%
San Marcos +
South Bend
17.3%
Spanish at Home
San Marcos
N/A
South Bend
N/A
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 99,507 | 102,866 | South Bend + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 33.9 | South Bend + |
| Foreign Born | 5.8% | 8.9% | South Bend + |
| White | 66.6% | 54.1% | San Marcos + |
| Black | 4.3% | 24.4% | South Bend + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 1.7% | South Bend + |
| Hispanic | 42.2% | 17.3% | San Marcos + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
San Marcos
$64,146
San Marcos +
South Bend
$52,512
Per Capita Income
San Marcos
$33,835
San Marcos +
South Bend
$29,511
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
San Marcos
$63,758
San Marcos +
South Bend
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
San Marcos
3.2%
San Marcos +
South Bend
6.0%
Poverty Rate
San Marcos
11.9%
San Marcos +
South Bend
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
San Marcos
24.9%
South Bend
29.4%
South Bend +
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,146 | $52,512 | San Marcos + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,835 | $29,511 | San Marcos + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $58,697 | San Marcos + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 6.0% | San Marcos + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.9% | 22.6% | San Marcos + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 29.4% | South Bend + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
San Marcos
$313,452
South Bend
$194,972
South Bend +
Homeownership Rate
San Marcos
63.3%
San Marcos +
South Bend
58.8%
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,452 | $194,972 | South Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% | 58.8% | San Marcos + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Marcos
442
South Bend
370
South Bend +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Marcos
2339
South Bend
1719
South Bend +
| Metric | San Marcos, 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
San Marcos
33.6%
San Marcos +
South Bend
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
7.9%
San Marcos +
South Bend
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
San Marcos
22.3%
South Bend
20.3%
South Bend +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
19.7%
South Bend
12.6%
South Bend +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
19.7%
South Bend
15.3%
South Bend +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
11.0%
San Marcos +
South Bend
18.2%
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.6% | 39.7% | San Marcos + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.9% | 15.2% | San Marcos + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.3% | 20.3% | South Bend + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 12.6% | South Bend + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 15.3% | South Bend + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 18.2% | San Marcos + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Marcos
68.5°F
South Bend
49.8°F
South Bend +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Marcos
35.7 in
San Marcos +
South Bend
38.0 in
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 68.5°F | 49.8°F | South Bend + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.7 in | 38.0 in | San Marcos + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
San Marcos
9.2 µg/m³
San Marcos +
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
San Marcos
55.0%
South Bend
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | San Marcos + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
San Marcos
19.0 min
San Marcos +
South Bend
21.6 min
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 21.6 min | San Marcos + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Marcos leads in median household income at $64,146, 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 San Marcos. San Marcos has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and San Marcos has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Marcos scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.6%.
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