South Bend IN vs Tampa 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%
Tampa, FL
Florida · Population: 393,389
- Median HH Income$71,302
- Median Home Price$376,530
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+44.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
South Bend
102,866
Tampa
393,389
Tampa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
South Bend
N/A
Tampa
N/A
Median Age
South Bend
33.9
South Bend +
Tampa
35.6
Foreign Born
South Bend
8.9%
Tampa
19.0%
Tampa +
White
South Bend
54.1%
South Bend +
Tampa
51.8%
Black
South Bend
24.4%
South Bend +
Tampa
21.3%
Asian
South Bend
1.7%
Tampa
4.8%
Tampa +
Hispanic
South Bend
17.3%
Tampa
26.2%
Tampa +
Spanish at Home
South Bend
N/A
Tampa
N/A
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 102,866 | 393,389 | Tampa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.9 | 35.6 | South Bend + |
| Foreign Born | 8.9% | 19.0% | Tampa + |
| White | 54.1% | 51.8% | South Bend + |
| Black | 24.4% | 21.3% | South Bend + |
| Asian | 1.7% | 4.8% | Tampa + |
| Hispanic | 17.3% | 26.2% | Tampa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
South Bend
$52,512
Tampa
$71,302
Tampa +
Per Capita Income
South Bend
$29,511
Tampa
$49,513
Tampa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
South Bend
$58,697
Tampa
$65,328
Tampa +
Unemployment Rate
South Bend
6.0%
Tampa
4.7%
Tampa +
Poverty Rate
South Bend
22.6%
Tampa
15.9%
Tampa +
Bachelor's Degree+
South Bend
29.4%
Tampa
44.6%
Tampa +
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,512 | $71,302 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,511 | $49,513 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $65,328 | Tampa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 4.7% | Tampa + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.6% | 15.9% | Tampa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | 44.6% | Tampa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
South Bend
$194,972
South Bend +
Tampa
$376,530
Homeownership Rate
South Bend
58.8%
South Bend +
Tampa
50.2%
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $194,972 | $376,530 | South Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.8% | 50.2% | South Bend + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
South Bend
370
Tampa
324
Tampa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
South Bend
1719
Tampa
1453
Tampa +
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 324 | Tampa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1453 | Tampa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
South Bend
39.7%
Tampa
31.9%
Tampa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
South Bend
15.2%
Tampa
12.5%
Tampa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
South Bend
20.3%
Tampa
17.4%
Tampa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
South Bend
12.6%
South Bend +
Tampa
15.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
South Bend
15.3%
South Bend +
Tampa
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
South Bend
18.2%
Tampa
12.6%
Tampa +
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.7% | 31.9% | Tampa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 12.5% | Tampa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.3% | 17.4% | Tampa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 15.9% | South Bend + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 16.7% | South Bend + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 12.6% | Tampa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
South Bend
49.8°F
South Bend +
Tampa
73.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
South Bend
38.0 in
South Bend +
Tampa
46.3 in
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.8°F | 73.4°F | South Bend + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.0 in | 46.3 in | South Bend + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
Tampa
7.2 µg/m³
Tampa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
South Bend
55.0%
Tampa
75.0%
Tampa +
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tampa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tampa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
South Bend
21.6 min
South Bend +
Tampa
26.8 min
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 26.8 min | South Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tampa leads in median household income at $71,302, while south Bend offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $194,972. On public safety, Tampa is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in South Bend. Tampa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Tampa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tampa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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