South Bend IN vs Tuscaloosa AL — 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%
Tuscaloosa, AL
Alabama · Population: 107,699
- Median HH Income$48,536
- Median Home Price$231,461
- Unemployment7.0%
- Bachelor's+38.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
South Bend
102,866
Tuscaloosa
107,699
Tuscaloosa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
South Bend
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
Median Age
South Bend
33.9
Tuscaloosa
28.2
Tuscaloosa +
Foreign Born
South Bend
8.9%
South Bend +
Tuscaloosa
4.7%
White
South Bend
54.1%
South Bend +
Tuscaloosa
49.6%
Black
South Bend
24.4%
Tuscaloosa
42.8%
Tuscaloosa +
Asian
South Bend
1.7%
Tuscaloosa
2.6%
Tuscaloosa +
Hispanic
South Bend
17.3%
South Bend +
Tuscaloosa
5.2%
Spanish at Home
South Bend
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 102,866 | 107,699 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.9 | 28.2 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Foreign Born | 8.9% | 4.7% | South Bend + |
| White | 54.1% | 49.6% | South Bend + |
| Black | 24.4% | 42.8% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Asian | 1.7% | 2.6% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Hispanic | 17.3% | 5.2% | South Bend + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
South Bend
$52,512
South Bend +
Tuscaloosa
$48,536
Per Capita Income
South Bend
$29,511
Tuscaloosa
$31,324
Tuscaloosa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
South Bend
$58,697
South Bend +
Tuscaloosa
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
South Bend
6.0%
South Bend +
Tuscaloosa
7.0%
Poverty Rate
South Bend
22.6%
South Bend +
Tuscaloosa
23.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
South Bend
29.4%
Tuscaloosa
38.1%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,512 | $48,536 | South Bend + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,511 | $31,324 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $51,690 | South Bend + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 7.0% | South Bend + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.6% | 23.8% | South Bend + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | 38.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
South Bend
$194,972
South Bend +
Tuscaloosa
$231,461
Homeownership Rate
South Bend
58.8%
South Bend +
Tuscaloosa
45.1%
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $194,972 | $231,461 | South Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.8% | 45.1% | South Bend + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
South Bend
370
South Bend +
Tuscaloosa
400
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
South Bend
1719
South Bend +
Tuscaloosa
1734
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 400 | South Bend + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1734 | South Bend + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
South Bend
39.7%
South Bend +
Tuscaloosa
42.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
South Bend
15.2%
Tuscaloosa
12.0%
Tuscaloosa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
South Bend
20.3%
South Bend +
Tuscaloosa
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
South Bend
12.6%
Tuscaloosa
11.5%
Tuscaloosa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
South Bend
15.3%
Tuscaloosa
15.1%
Tuscaloosa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
South Bend
18.2%
Tuscaloosa
14.7%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.7% | 42.6% | South Bend + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 12.0% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.3% | 21.3% | South Bend + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 11.5% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 15.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 14.7% | Tuscaloosa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
South Bend
49.8°F
South Bend +
Tuscaloosa
65.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
South Bend
38.0 in
South Bend +
Tuscaloosa
55.0 in
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.8°F | 65.0°F | South Bend + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.0 in | 55.0 in | South Bend + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
Tuscaloosa
8.8 µg/m³
Tuscaloosa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
South Bend
55.0%
Tuscaloosa
75.0%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Tuscaloosa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tuscaloosa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
South Bend
21.6 min
Tuscaloosa
20.0 min
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 20.0 min | Tuscaloosa + |
Which City is Right for You?
South Bend leads in median household income at $52,512, 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 400 in Tuscaloosa. South Bend has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Tuscaloosa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, South Bend scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.7%.
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