South Bend IN vs Sugar Land TX — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
South Bend, IN
Indiana · Population: 102,866
- Median HH Income$52,512
- Median Home Price$194,972
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+29.4%
Sugar Land, TX
Texas · Population: 109,735
- Median HH Income$137,511
- Median Home Price$449,058
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+62.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
South Bend
102,866
Sugar Land
109,735
Sugar Land +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
South Bend
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
Median Age
South Bend
33.9
South Bend +
Sugar Land
42.5
Foreign Born
South Bend
8.9%
Sugar Land
35.3%
Sugar Land +
White
South Bend
54.1%
South Bend +
Sugar Land
40.6%
Black
South Bend
24.4%
South Bend +
Sugar Land
7.7%
Asian
South Bend
1.7%
Sugar Land
39.5%
Sugar Land +
Hispanic
South Bend
17.3%
South Bend +
Sugar Land
12.3%
Spanish at Home
South Bend
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 102,866 | 109,735 | Sugar Land + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.9 | 42.5 | South Bend + |
| Foreign Born | 8.9% | 35.3% | Sugar Land + |
| White | 54.1% | 40.6% | South Bend + |
| Black | 24.4% | 7.7% | South Bend + |
| Asian | 1.7% | 39.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Hispanic | 17.3% | 12.3% | South Bend + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
South Bend
$52,512
Sugar Land
$137,511
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Income
South Bend
$29,511
Sugar Land
$60,258
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
South Bend
$58,697
Sugar Land
$63,758
Sugar Land +
Unemployment Rate
South Bend
6.0%
Sugar Land
4.5%
Sugar Land +
Poverty Rate
South Bend
22.6%
Sugar Land
5.1%
Sugar Land +
Bachelor's Degree+
South Bend
29.4%
Sugar Land
62.4%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,512 | $137,511 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,511 | $60,258 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $63,758 | Sugar Land + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 4.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.6% | 5.1% | Sugar Land + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | 62.4% | Sugar Land + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
South Bend
$194,972
South Bend +
Sugar Land
$449,058
Homeownership Rate
South Bend
58.8%
Sugar Land
80.1%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $194,972 | $449,058 | South Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.8% | 80.1% | Sugar Land + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
South Bend
370
South Bend +
Sugar Land
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
South Bend
1719
South Bend +
Sugar Land
2339
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 442 | South Bend + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 2339 | South Bend + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
South Bend
39.7%
Sugar Land
24.8%
Sugar Land +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
South Bend
15.2%
Sugar Land
12.2%
Sugar Land +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
South Bend
20.3%
Sugar Land
12.2%
Sugar Land +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
South Bend
12.6%
Sugar Land
8.5%
Sugar Land +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
South Bend
15.3%
Sugar Land
13.6%
Sugar Land +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
South Bend
18.2%
Sugar Land
8.2%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.7% | 24.8% | Sugar Land + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 12.2% | Sugar Land + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.3% | 12.2% | Sugar Land + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 8.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 13.6% | Sugar Land + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 8.2% | Sugar Land + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
South Bend
49.8°F
South Bend +
Sugar Land
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
South Bend
38.0 in
South Bend +
Sugar Land
50.4 in
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.8°F | 71.3°F | South Bend + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.0 in | 50.4 in | South Bend + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
Sugar Land
9.2 µg/m³
Sugar Land +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
South Bend
55.0%
Sugar Land
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Sugar Land + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
South Bend
21.6 min
South Bend +
Sugar Land
31.6 min
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 31.6 min | South Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sugar Land leads in median household income at $137,511, 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 Sugar Land. Sugar Land has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Sugar Land has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sugar Land scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.8%.
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