South Bend IN vs Tallahassee FL — 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%
Tallahassee, FL
Florida · Population: 199,696
- Median HH Income$55,931
- Median Home Price$293,664
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+51.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
South Bend
102,866
Tallahassee
199,696
Tallahassee +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
South Bend
N/A
Tallahassee
N/A
Median Age
South Bend
33.9
Tallahassee
28.0
Tallahassee +
Foreign Born
South Bend
8.9%
South Bend +
Tallahassee
8.0%
White
South Bend
54.1%
South Bend +
Tallahassee
50.7%
Black
South Bend
24.4%
Tallahassee
35.7%
Tallahassee +
Asian
South Bend
1.7%
Tallahassee
4.0%
Tallahassee +
Hispanic
South Bend
17.3%
South Bend +
Tallahassee
8.6%
Spanish at Home
South Bend
N/A
Tallahassee
N/A
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 102,866 | 199,696 | Tallahassee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.9 | 28.0 | Tallahassee + |
| Foreign Born | 8.9% | 8.0% | South Bend + |
| White | 54.1% | 50.7% | South Bend + |
| Black | 24.4% | 35.7% | Tallahassee + |
| Asian | 1.7% | 4.0% | Tallahassee + |
| Hispanic | 17.3% | 8.6% | South Bend + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
South Bend
$52,512
Tallahassee
$55,931
Tallahassee +
Per Capita Income
South Bend
$29,511
Tallahassee
$35,704
Tallahassee +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
South Bend
$58,697
Tallahassee
$65,328
Tallahassee +
Unemployment Rate
South Bend
6.0%
South Bend +
Tallahassee
6.5%
Poverty Rate
South Bend
22.6%
South Bend +
Tallahassee
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
South Bend
29.4%
Tallahassee
51.0%
Tallahassee +
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,512 | $55,931 | Tallahassee + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,511 | $35,704 | Tallahassee + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $65,328 | Tallahassee + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 6.5% | South Bend + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.6% | 23.2% | South Bend + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | 51.0% | Tallahassee + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
South Bend
$194,972
South Bend +
Tallahassee
$293,664
Homeownership Rate
South Bend
58.8%
South Bend +
Tallahassee
39.5%
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $194,972 | $293,664 | South Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.8% | 39.5% | South Bend + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
South Bend
370
Tallahassee
324
Tallahassee +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
South Bend
1719
Tallahassee
1453
Tallahassee +
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 324 | Tallahassee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1453 | Tallahassee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
South Bend
39.7%
Tallahassee
34.1%
Tallahassee +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
South Bend
15.2%
Tallahassee
9.6%
Tallahassee +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
South Bend
20.3%
Tallahassee
20.3%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
South Bend
12.6%
South Bend +
Tallahassee
13.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
South Bend
15.3%
South Bend +
Tallahassee
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
South Bend
18.2%
Tallahassee
12.2%
Tallahassee +
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.7% | 34.1% | Tallahassee + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 9.6% | Tallahassee + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.3% | 20.3% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 13.2% | South Bend + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 16.7% | South Bend + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 12.2% | Tallahassee + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
South Bend
49.8°F
South Bend +
Tallahassee
67.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
South Bend
38.0 in
South Bend +
Tallahassee
58.1 in
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.8°F | 67.6°F | South Bend + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.0 in | 58.1 in | South Bend + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
Tallahassee
7.2 µg/m³
Tallahassee +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
South Bend
55.0%
Tallahassee
75.0%
Tallahassee +
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tallahassee + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tallahassee + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
South Bend
21.6 min
Tallahassee
20.3 min
Tallahassee +
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 20.3 min | Tallahassee + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tallahassee leads in median household income at $55,931, while south Bend offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $194,972. On public safety, Tallahassee is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in South Bend. South Bend has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Tallahassee has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tallahassee scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.1%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs South Bend, INLos Angeles, CA vs South Bend, INChicago, IL vs South Bend, INHouston, TX vs South Bend, INPhoenix, AZ vs South Bend, INPhiladelphia, PA vs South Bend, IN