South Bend IN vs Sunnyvale CA — 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%
Sunnyvale, CA
California · Population: 153,455
- Median HH Income$181,862
- Median Home Price$2,144,024
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+69.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
South Bend
102,866
Sunnyvale
153,455
Sunnyvale +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
South Bend
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
Median Age
South Bend
33.9
South Bend +
Sunnyvale
35.1
Foreign Born
South Bend
8.9%
Sunnyvale
49.4%
Sunnyvale +
White
South Bend
54.1%
South Bend +
Sunnyvale
30.4%
Black
South Bend
24.4%
South Bend +
Sunnyvale
1.5%
Asian
South Bend
1.7%
Sunnyvale
49.4%
Sunnyvale +
Hispanic
South Bend
17.3%
South Bend +
Sunnyvale
16.7%
Spanish at Home
South Bend
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 102,866 | 153,455 | Sunnyvale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.9 | 35.1 | South Bend + |
| Foreign Born | 8.9% | 49.4% | Sunnyvale + |
| White | 54.1% | 30.4% | South Bend + |
| Black | 24.4% | 1.5% | South Bend + |
| Asian | 1.7% | 49.4% | Sunnyvale + |
| Hispanic | 17.3% | 16.7% | South Bend + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
South Bend
$52,512
Sunnyvale
$181,862
Sunnyvale +
Per Capita Income
South Bend
$29,511
Sunnyvale
$95,752
Sunnyvale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
South Bend
$58,697
Sunnyvale
$77,230
Sunnyvale +
Unemployment Rate
South Bend
6.0%
Sunnyvale
4.1%
Sunnyvale +
Poverty Rate
South Bend
22.6%
Sunnyvale
5.6%
Sunnyvale +
Bachelor's Degree+
South Bend
29.4%
Sunnyvale
69.2%
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,512 | $181,862 | Sunnyvale + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,511 | $95,752 | Sunnyvale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $77,230 | Sunnyvale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 4.1% | Sunnyvale + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.6% | 5.6% | Sunnyvale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | 69.2% | Sunnyvale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
South Bend
$194,972
South Bend +
Sunnyvale
$2,144,024
Homeownership Rate
South Bend
58.8%
South Bend +
Sunnyvale
43.8%
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $194,972 | $2,144,024 | South Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.8% | 43.8% | South Bend + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
South Bend
370
South Bend +
Sunnyvale
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
South Bend
1719
South Bend +
Sunnyvale
2388
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 503 | South Bend + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 2388 | South Bend + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
South Bend
39.7%
Sunnyvale
19.7%
Sunnyvale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
South Bend
15.2%
Sunnyvale
8.3%
Sunnyvale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
South Bend
20.3%
Sunnyvale
12.9%
Sunnyvale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
South Bend
12.6%
Sunnyvale
5.2%
Sunnyvale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
South Bend
15.3%
Sunnyvale
13.5%
Sunnyvale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
South Bend
18.2%
Sunnyvale
6.7%
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.7% | 19.7% | Sunnyvale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 8.3% | Sunnyvale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.3% | 12.9% | Sunnyvale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 5.2% | Sunnyvale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 13.5% | Sunnyvale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 6.7% | Sunnyvale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
South Bend
49.8°F
Sunnyvale
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
South Bend
38.0 in
Sunnyvale
N/A
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.8°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.0 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
Sunnyvale
7.9 µg/m³
Sunnyvale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
South Bend
55.0%
Sunnyvale
75.0%
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Sunnyvale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Sunnyvale + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
South Bend
21.6 min
South Bend +
Sunnyvale
25.3 min
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 25.3 min | South Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sunnyvale leads in median household income at $181,862, 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 Sunnyvale. Sunnyvale has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Sunnyvale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sunnyvale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 19.7%.
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