South Bend IN vs Waco TX — 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%
Waco, TX
Texas · Population: 141,925
- Median HH Income$51,468
- Median Home Price$196,465
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
South Bend
102,866
Waco
141,925
Waco +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
South Bend
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
South Bend
33.9
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
South Bend
8.9%
Waco
9.8%
Waco +
White
South Bend
54.1%
South Bend +
Waco
54.0%
Black
South Bend
24.4%
South Bend +
Waco
20.4%
Asian
South Bend
1.7%
Waco
2.0%
Waco +
Hispanic
South Bend
17.3%
Waco
29.9%
Waco +
Spanish at Home
South Bend
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 102,866 | 141,925 | Waco + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.9 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 8.9% | 9.8% | Waco + |
| White | 54.1% | 54.0% | South Bend + |
| Black | 24.4% | 20.4% | South Bend + |
| Asian | 1.7% | 2.0% | Waco + |
| Hispanic | 17.3% | 29.9% | Waco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
South Bend
$52,512
South Bend +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
South Bend
$29,511
South Bend +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
South Bend
$58,697
Waco
$63,758
Waco +
Unemployment Rate
South Bend
6.0%
Waco
4.4%
Waco +
Poverty Rate
South Bend
22.6%
South Bend +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
South Bend
29.4%
South Bend +
Waco
28.6%
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,512 | $51,468 | South Bend + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,511 | $28,819 | South Bend + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $63,758 | Waco + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 4.4% | Waco + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.6% | 24.0% | South Bend + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | 28.6% | South Bend + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
South Bend
$194,972
South Bend +
Waco
$196,465
Homeownership Rate
South Bend
58.8%
South Bend +
Waco
48.9%
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $194,972 | $196,465 | South Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.8% | 48.9% | South Bend + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
South Bend
370
South Bend +
Waco
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
South Bend
1719
South Bend +
Waco
2339
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 442 | South Bend + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 2339 | South Bend + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
South Bend
39.7%
Waco
36.8%
Waco +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
South Bend
15.2%
Waco
13.0%
Waco +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
South Bend
20.3%
South Bend +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
South Bend
12.6%
South Bend +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
South Bend
15.3%
South Bend +
Waco
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
South Bend
18.2%
Waco
15.1%
Waco +
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.7% | 36.8% | Waco + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 13.0% | Waco + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.3% | 20.4% | South Bend + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 20.4% | South Bend + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 16.2% | South Bend + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 15.1% | Waco + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
South Bend
49.8°F
South Bend +
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
South Bend
38.0 in
Waco
36.4 in
Waco +
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.8°F | 66.6°F | South Bend + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.0 in | 36.4 in | Waco + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Waco +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
South Bend
55.0%
Waco
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Waco + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
South Bend
21.6 min
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
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 442 in Waco. Waco has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Waco has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Waco scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
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