South Bend IN vs Tulsa OK — 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%
Tulsa, OK
Oklahoma · Population: 412,322
- Median HH Income$58,407
- Median Home Price$220,279
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+33.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
South Bend
102,866
Tulsa
412,322
Tulsa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
South Bend
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
Median Age
South Bend
33.9
South Bend +
Tulsa
35.5
Foreign Born
South Bend
8.9%
Tulsa
11.9%
Tulsa +
White
South Bend
54.1%
Tulsa
57.0%
Tulsa +
Black
South Bend
24.4%
South Bend +
Tulsa
14.2%
Asian
South Bend
1.7%
Tulsa
3.5%
Tulsa +
Hispanic
South Bend
17.3%
Tulsa
19.2%
Tulsa +
Spanish at Home
South Bend
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 102,866 | 412,322 | Tulsa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.9 | 35.5 | South Bend + |
| Foreign Born | 8.9% | 11.9% | Tulsa + |
| White | 54.1% | 57.0% | Tulsa + |
| Black | 24.4% | 14.2% | South Bend + |
| Asian | 1.7% | 3.5% | Tulsa + |
| Hispanic | 17.3% | 19.2% | Tulsa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
South Bend
$52,512
Tulsa
$58,407
Tulsa +
Per Capita Income
South Bend
$29,511
Tulsa
$37,533
Tulsa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
South Bend
$58,697
South Bend +
Tulsa
$57,929
Unemployment Rate
South Bend
6.0%
South Bend +
Tulsa
6.1%
Poverty Rate
South Bend
22.6%
Tulsa
18.6%
Tulsa +
Bachelor's Degree+
South Bend
29.4%
Tulsa
33.3%
Tulsa +
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,512 | $58,407 | Tulsa + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,511 | $37,533 | Tulsa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $57,929 | South Bend + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 6.1% | South Bend + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.6% | 18.6% | Tulsa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | 33.3% | Tulsa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
South Bend
$194,972
South Bend +
Tulsa
$220,279
Homeownership Rate
South Bend
58.8%
South Bend +
Tulsa
52.0%
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $194,972 | $220,279 | South Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.8% | 52.0% | South Bend + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
South Bend
370
South Bend +
Tulsa
429
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
South Bend
1719
South Bend +
Tulsa
2375
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 429 | South Bend + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 2375 | South Bend + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
South Bend
39.7%
Tulsa
37.5%
Tulsa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
South Bend
15.2%
Tulsa
12.8%
Tulsa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
South Bend
20.3%
Tulsa
18.8%
Tulsa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
South Bend
12.6%
South Bend +
Tulsa
14.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
South Bend
15.3%
Tulsa
12.9%
Tulsa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
South Bend
18.2%
Tulsa
16.3%
Tulsa +
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.7% | 37.5% | Tulsa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 12.8% | Tulsa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.3% | 18.8% | Tulsa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 14.4% | South Bend + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 12.9% | Tulsa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 16.3% | Tulsa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
South Bend
49.8°F
South Bend +
Tulsa
60.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
South Bend
38.0 in
South Bend +
Tulsa
41.0 in
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.8°F | 60.8°F | South Bend + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.0 in | 41.0 in | South Bend + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
Tulsa
8.8 µg/m³
Tulsa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
South Bend
55.0%
Tulsa
75.0%
Tulsa +
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Tulsa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tulsa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
South Bend
21.6 min
Tulsa
20.2 min
Tulsa +
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 20.2 min | Tulsa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tulsa leads in median household income at $58,407, 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 429 in Tulsa. South Bend has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Tulsa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tulsa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.5%.
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