South Bend IN vs Tacoma WA — 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%
Tacoma, WA
Washington · Population: 220,482
- Median HH Income$83,857
- Median Home Price$496,966
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
South Bend
102,866
Tacoma
220,482
Tacoma +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
South Bend
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
Median Age
South Bend
33.9
South Bend +
Tacoma
37.3
Foreign Born
South Bend
8.9%
Tacoma
12.2%
Tacoma +
White
South Bend
54.1%
Tacoma
59.4%
Tacoma +
Black
South Bend
24.4%
South Bend +
Tacoma
10.5%
Asian
South Bend
1.7%
Tacoma
8.8%
Tacoma +
Hispanic
South Bend
17.3%
South Bend +
Tacoma
13.1%
Spanish at Home
South Bend
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 102,866 | 220,482 | Tacoma + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.9 | 37.3 | South Bend + |
| Foreign Born | 8.9% | 12.2% | Tacoma + |
| White | 54.1% | 59.4% | Tacoma + |
| Black | 24.4% | 10.5% | South Bend + |
| Asian | 1.7% | 8.8% | Tacoma + |
| Hispanic | 17.3% | 13.1% | South Bend + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
South Bend
$52,512
Tacoma
$83,857
Tacoma +
Per Capita Income
South Bend
$29,511
Tacoma
$44,756
Tacoma +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
South Bend
$58,697
Tacoma
$76,120
Tacoma +
Unemployment Rate
South Bend
6.0%
Tacoma
5.3%
Tacoma +
Poverty Rate
South Bend
22.6%
Tacoma
12.0%
Tacoma +
Bachelor's Degree+
South Bend
29.4%
Tacoma
33.5%
Tacoma +
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,512 | $83,857 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,511 | $44,756 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $76,120 | Tacoma + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 5.3% | Tacoma + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.6% | 12.0% | Tacoma + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | 33.5% | Tacoma + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
South Bend
$194,972
South Bend +
Tacoma
$496,966
Homeownership Rate
South Bend
58.8%
South Bend +
Tacoma
56.5%
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $194,972 | $496,966 | South Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.8% | 56.5% | South Bend + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
South Bend
370
South Bend +
Tacoma
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
South Bend
1719
South Bend +
Tacoma
3409
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 383 | South Bend + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 3409 | South Bend + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
South Bend
39.7%
Tacoma
37.3%
Tacoma +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
South Bend
15.2%
Tacoma
10.9%
Tacoma +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
South Bend
20.3%
Tacoma
18.7%
Tacoma +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
South Bend
12.6%
Tacoma
9.3%
Tacoma +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
South Bend
15.3%
South Bend +
Tacoma
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
South Bend
18.2%
Tacoma
11.9%
Tacoma +
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.7% | 37.3% | Tacoma + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 10.9% | Tacoma + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.3% | 18.7% | Tacoma + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 9.3% | Tacoma + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 16.8% | South Bend + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 11.9% | Tacoma + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
South Bend
49.8°F
South Bend +
Tacoma
53.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
South Bend
38.0 in
South Bend +
Tacoma
39.2 in
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.8°F | 53.5°F | South Bend + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.0 in | 39.2 in | South Bend + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
Tacoma
7.5 µg/m³
Tacoma +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
South Bend
55.0%
Tacoma
75.0%
Tacoma +
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Tacoma + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tacoma + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
South Bend
21.6 min
South Bend +
Tacoma
31.1 min
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 31.1 min | South Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tacoma leads in median household income at $83,857, 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 383 in Tacoma. Tacoma has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Tacoma has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tacoma scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.3%.
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