South Bend IN vs Tempe AZ — 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%
Tempe, AZ
Arizona · Population: 186,419
- Median HH Income$77,643
- Median Home Price$468,328
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+49.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
South Bend
102,866
Tempe
186,419
Tempe +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
South Bend
N/A
Tempe
N/A
Median Age
South Bend
33.9
Tempe
29.9
Tempe +
Foreign Born
South Bend
8.9%
Tempe
13.9%
Tempe +
White
South Bend
54.1%
Tempe
60.1%
Tempe +
Black
South Bend
24.4%
South Bend +
Tempe
7.8%
Asian
South Bend
1.7%
Tempe
9.5%
Tempe +
Hispanic
South Bend
17.3%
Tempe
23.1%
Tempe +
Spanish at Home
South Bend
N/A
Tempe
N/A
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 102,866 | 186,419 | Tempe + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.9 | 29.9 | Tempe + |
| Foreign Born | 8.9% | 13.9% | Tempe + |
| White | 54.1% | 60.1% | Tempe + |
| Black | 24.4% | 7.8% | South Bend + |
| Asian | 1.7% | 9.5% | Tempe + |
| Hispanic | 17.3% | 23.1% | Tempe + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
South Bend
$52,512
Tempe
$77,643
Tempe +
Per Capita Income
South Bend
$29,511
Tempe
$42,371
Tempe +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
South Bend
$58,697
Tempe
$59,120
Tempe +
Unemployment Rate
South Bend
6.0%
Tempe
5.7%
Tempe +
Poverty Rate
South Bend
22.6%
Tempe
16.2%
Tempe +
Bachelor's Degree+
South Bend
29.4%
Tempe
49.5%
Tempe +
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,512 | $77,643 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,511 | $42,371 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $59,120 | Tempe + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 5.7% | Tempe + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.6% | 16.2% | Tempe + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | 49.5% | Tempe + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
South Bend
$194,972
South Bend +
Tempe
$468,328
Homeownership Rate
South Bend
58.8%
South Bend +
Tempe
41.6%
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $194,972 | $468,328 | South Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.8% | 41.6% | South Bend + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
South Bend
370
South Bend +
Tempe
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
South Bend
1719
South Bend +
Tempe
2150
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 450 | South Bend + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 2150 | South Bend + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
South Bend
39.7%
Tempe
27.2%
Tempe +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
South Bend
15.2%
Tempe
7.2%
Tempe +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
South Bend
20.3%
Tempe
16.6%
Tempe +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
South Bend
12.6%
Tempe
10.7%
Tempe +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
South Bend
15.3%
South Bend +
Tempe
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
South Bend
18.2%
Tempe
9.1%
Tempe +
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.7% | 27.2% | Tempe + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 7.2% | Tempe + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.3% | 16.6% | Tempe + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 10.7% | Tempe + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 18.3% | South Bend + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 9.1% | Tempe + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
South Bend
49.8°F
South Bend +
Tempe
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
South Bend
38.0 in
Tempe
9.3 in
Tempe +
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.8°F | 71.3°F | South Bend + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.0 in | 9.3 in | Tempe + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
Tempe
7.1 µg/m³
Tempe +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
South Bend
55.0%
Tempe
75.0%
Tempe +
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tempe + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tempe + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
South Bend
21.6 min
South Bend +
Tempe
23.2 min
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 23.2 min | South Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tempe leads in median household income at $77,643, 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 450 in Tempe. Tempe has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Tempe has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tempe scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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