Santa Clarita 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)
Santa Clarita, CA
California · Population: 229,021
- Median HH Income$119,926
- Median Home Price$802,780
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+39.3%
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
Santa Clarita
229,021
Santa Clarita +
South Bend
102,866
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Santa Clarita
N/A
South Bend
N/A
Median Age
Santa Clarita
38.1
South Bend
33.9
South Bend +
Foreign Born
Santa Clarita
21.6%
Santa Clarita +
South Bend
8.9%
White
Santa Clarita
53.1%
South Bend
54.1%
South Bend +
Black
Santa Clarita
4.4%
South Bend
24.4%
South Bend +
Asian
Santa Clarita
11.4%
Santa Clarita +
South Bend
1.7%
Hispanic
Santa Clarita
36.0%
Santa Clarita +
South Bend
17.3%
Spanish at Home
Santa Clarita
N/A
South Bend
N/A
| Metric | Santa Clarita, CA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 229,021 | 102,866 | Santa Clarita + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 33.9 | South Bend + |
| Foreign Born | 21.6% | 8.9% | Santa Clarita + |
| White | 53.1% | 54.1% | South Bend + |
| Black | 4.4% | 24.4% | South Bend + |
| Asian | 11.4% | 1.7% | Santa Clarita + |
| Hispanic | 36.0% | 17.3% | Santa Clarita + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Santa Clarita
$119,926
Santa Clarita +
South Bend
$52,512
Per Capita Income
Santa Clarita
$49,571
Santa Clarita +
South Bend
$29,511
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Santa Clarita
$77,230
Santa Clarita +
South Bend
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Santa Clarita
5.3%
Santa Clarita +
South Bend
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Santa Clarita
7.7%
Santa Clarita +
South Bend
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Santa Clarita
39.3%
Santa Clarita +
South Bend
29.4%
| Metric | Santa Clarita, CA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $119,926 | $52,512 | Santa Clarita + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,571 | $29,511 | Santa Clarita + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $58,697 | Santa Clarita + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 6.0% | Santa Clarita + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.7% | 22.6% | Santa Clarita + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 39.3% | 29.4% | Santa Clarita + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Santa Clarita
$802,780
South Bend
$194,972
South Bend +
Homeownership Rate
Santa Clarita
72.0%
Santa Clarita +
South Bend
58.8%
| Metric | Santa Clarita, CA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $802,780 | $194,972 | South Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 72.0% | 58.8% | Santa Clarita + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Santa Clarita
503
South Bend
370
South Bend +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Santa Clarita
2388
South Bend
1719
South Bend +
| Metric | Santa Clarita, 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
Santa Clarita
24.7%
Santa Clarita +
South Bend
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Santa Clarita
9.8%
Santa Clarita +
South Bend
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Santa Clarita
16.0%
Santa Clarita +
South Bend
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Santa Clarita
8.0%
Santa Clarita +
South Bend
12.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Santa Clarita
16.9%
South Bend
15.3%
South Bend +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Santa Clarita
9.9%
Santa Clarita +
South Bend
18.2%
| Metric | Santa Clarita, CA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.7% | 39.7% | Santa Clarita + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 15.2% | Santa Clarita + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 20.3% | Santa Clarita + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.0% | 12.6% | Santa Clarita + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 15.3% | South Bend + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 18.2% | Santa Clarita + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Santa Clarita
N/A
South Bend
49.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Santa Clarita
N/A
South Bend
38.0 in
| Metric | Santa Clarita, CA | 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.)
Santa Clarita
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Clarita +
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Santa Clarita
75.0%
Santa Clarita +
South Bend
55.0%
| Metric | Santa Clarita, CA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Santa Clarita + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Santa Clarita + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Santa Clarita
37.4 min
South Bend
21.6 min
South Bend +
| Metric | Santa Clarita, CA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 37.4 min | 21.6 min | South Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Clarita leads in median household income at $119,926, 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 Santa Clarita. Santa Clarita has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Santa Clarita has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Santa Clarita scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.7%.
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