South Bend IN vs West Covina CA — 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%
West Covina, CA
California · Population: 107,436
- Median HH Income$98,570
- Median Home Price$851,613
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+29.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
South Bend
102,866
West Covina
107,436
West Covina +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
South Bend
N/A
West Covina
N/A
Median Age
South Bend
33.9
South Bend +
West Covina
40.1
Foreign Born
South Bend
8.9%
West Covina
36.7%
West Covina +
White
South Bend
54.1%
South Bend +
West Covina
20.0%
Black
South Bend
24.4%
South Bend +
West Covina
4.1%
Asian
South Bend
1.7%
West Covina
30.6%
West Covina +
Hispanic
South Bend
17.3%
West Covina
53.2%
West Covina +
Spanish at Home
South Bend
N/A
West Covina
N/A
| Metric | South Bend, IN | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 102,866 | 107,436 | West Covina + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.9 | 40.1 | South Bend + |
| Foreign Born | 8.9% | 36.7% | West Covina + |
| White | 54.1% | 20.0% | South Bend + |
| Black | 24.4% | 4.1% | South Bend + |
| Asian | 1.7% | 30.6% | West Covina + |
| Hispanic | 17.3% | 53.2% | West Covina + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
South Bend
$52,512
West Covina
$98,570
West Covina +
Per Capita Income
South Bend
$29,511
West Covina
$38,100
West Covina +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
South Bend
$58,697
West Covina
$77,230
West Covina +
Unemployment Rate
South Bend
6.0%
South Bend +
West Covina
6.2%
Poverty Rate
South Bend
22.6%
West Covina
9.7%
West Covina +
Bachelor's Degree+
South Bend
29.4%
West Covina
29.8%
West Covina +
| Metric | South Bend, IN | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,512 | $98,570 | West Covina + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,511 | $38,100 | West Covina + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $77,230 | West Covina + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 6.2% | South Bend + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.6% | 9.7% | West Covina + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | 29.8% | West Covina + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
South Bend
$194,972
South Bend +
West Covina
$851,613
Homeownership Rate
South Bend
58.8%
West Covina
60.8%
West Covina +
| Metric | South Bend, IN | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $194,972 | $851,613 | South Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.8% | 60.8% | West Covina + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
South Bend
370
South Bend +
West Covina
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
South Bend
1719
South Bend +
West Covina
2388
| Metric | South Bend, IN | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 503 | South Bend + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 2388 | South Bend + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
South Bend
39.7%
West Covina
23.5%
West Covina +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
South Bend
15.2%
West Covina
12.8%
West Covina +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
South Bend
20.3%
West Covina
14.7%
West Covina +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
South Bend
12.6%
West Covina
11.4%
West Covina +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
South Bend
15.3%
West Covina
13.7%
West Covina +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
South Bend
18.2%
West Covina
9.6%
West Covina +
| Metric | South Bend, IN | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.7% | 23.5% | West Covina + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 12.8% | West Covina + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.3% | 14.7% | West Covina + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 11.4% | West Covina + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 13.7% | West Covina + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 9.6% | West Covina + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
South Bend
49.8°F
West Covina
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
South Bend
38.0 in
West Covina
N/A
| Metric | South Bend, IN | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.8°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.0 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
West Covina
7.9 µg/m³
West Covina +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
South Bend
55.0%
West Covina
75.0%
West Covina +
| Metric | South Bend, IN | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | West Covina + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | West Covina + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
South Bend
21.6 min
South Bend +
West Covina
36.1 min
| Metric | South Bend, IN | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 36.1 min | South Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
West Covina leads in median household income at $98,570, 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 503 in West Covina. South Bend has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and West Covina has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, West Covina scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.5%.
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