South Bend IN vs Tucson 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%
Tucson, AZ
Arizona · Population: 543,348
- Median HH Income$54,546
- Median Home Price$324,946
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+30.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
South Bend
102,866
Tucson
543,348
Tucson +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
South Bend
N/A
Tucson
N/A
Median Age
South Bend
33.9
South Bend +
Tucson
34.6
Foreign Born
South Bend
8.9%
Tucson
13.7%
Tucson +
White
South Bend
54.1%
Tucson
58.2%
Tucson +
Black
South Bend
24.4%
South Bend +
Tucson
5.0%
Asian
South Bend
1.7%
Tucson
3.1%
Tucson +
Hispanic
South Bend
17.3%
Tucson
42.7%
Tucson +
Spanish at Home
South Bend
N/A
Tucson
N/A
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 102,866 | 543,348 | Tucson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.9 | 34.6 | South Bend + |
| Foreign Born | 8.9% | 13.7% | Tucson + |
| White | 54.1% | 58.2% | Tucson + |
| Black | 24.4% | 5.0% | South Bend + |
| Asian | 1.7% | 3.1% | Tucson + |
| Hispanic | 17.3% | 42.7% | Tucson + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
South Bend
$52,512
Tucson
$54,546
Tucson +
Per Capita Income
South Bend
$29,511
Tucson
$31,152
Tucson +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
South Bend
$58,697
Tucson
$59,120
Tucson +
Unemployment Rate
South Bend
6.0%
South Bend +
Tucson
6.4%
Poverty Rate
South Bend
22.6%
Tucson
18.8%
Tucson +
Bachelor's Degree+
South Bend
29.4%
Tucson
30.2%
Tucson +
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,512 | $54,546 | Tucson + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,511 | $31,152 | Tucson + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $59,120 | Tucson + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 6.4% | South Bend + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.6% | 18.8% | Tucson + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | 30.2% | Tucson + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
South Bend
$194,972
South Bend +
Tucson
$324,946
Homeownership Rate
South Bend
58.8%
South Bend +
Tucson
51.7%
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $194,972 | $324,946 | South Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.8% | 51.7% | South Bend + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
South Bend
370
South Bend +
Tucson
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
South Bend
1719
South Bend +
Tucson
2150
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Tucson, 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%
Tucson
33.5%
Tucson +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
South Bend
15.2%
Tucson
11.5%
Tucson +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
South Bend
20.3%
Tucson
18.3%
Tucson +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
South Bend
12.6%
South Bend +
Tucson
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
South Bend
15.3%
Tucson
14.6%
Tucson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
South Bend
18.2%
Tucson
12.5%
Tucson +
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.7% | 33.5% | Tucson + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 11.5% | Tucson + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.3% | 18.3% | Tucson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 15.7% | South Bend + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 14.6% | Tucson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 12.5% | Tucson + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
South Bend
49.8°F
South Bend +
Tucson
69.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
South Bend
38.0 in
Tucson
12.2 in
Tucson +
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.8°F | 69.8°F | South Bend + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.0 in | 12.2 in | Tucson + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
Tucson
7.1 µg/m³
Tucson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
South Bend
55.0%
Tucson
75.0%
Tucson +
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tucson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tucson + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
South Bend
21.6 min
South Bend +
Tucson
23.9 min
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 23.9 min | South Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tucson leads in median household income at $54,546, 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 Tucson. South Bend has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Tucson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tucson scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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