CityCompare

South Bend IN vs West Palm Beach FL — 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 Palm Beach, FL

Florida · Population: 119,508

  • Median HH Income$69,261
  • Median Home Price$399,650
  • Unemployment5.4%
  • Bachelor's+37.6%

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population
South Bend
102,866
West Palm Beach
119,508
West Palm Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
South Bend
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
Median Age
South Bend
33.9
South Bend +
West Palm Beach
40.2
Foreign Born
South Bend
8.9%
West Palm Beach
27.2%
West Palm Beach +
White
South Bend
54.1%
South Bend +
West Palm Beach
44.0%
Black
South Bend
24.4%
West Palm Beach
31.5%
West Palm Beach +
Asian
South Bend
1.7%
West Palm Beach
2.5%
West Palm Beach +
Hispanic
South Bend
17.3%
West Palm Beach
24.6%
West Palm Beach +
Spanish at Home
South Bend
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
South Bend
$52,512
West Palm Beach
$69,261
West Palm Beach +
Per Capita Income
South Bend
$29,511
West Palm Beach
$44,508
West Palm Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
South Bend
$58,697
West Palm Beach
$65,328
West Palm Beach +
Unemployment Rate
South Bend
6.0%
West Palm Beach
5.4%
West Palm Beach +
Poverty Rate
South Bend
22.6%
West Palm Beach
14.8%
West Palm Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
South Bend
29.4%
West Palm Beach
37.6%
West Palm Beach +

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
South Bend
$194,972
South Bend +
West Palm Beach
$399,650
Homeownership Rate
South Bend
58.8%
South Bend +
West Palm Beach
50.2%

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
South Bend
370
West Palm Beach
324
West Palm Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
South Bend
1719
West Palm Beach
1453
West Palm Beach +

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
South Bend
39.7%
West Palm Beach
29.1%
West Palm Beach +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
South Bend
15.2%
West Palm Beach
13.7%
West Palm Beach +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
South Bend
20.3%
West Palm Beach
16.4%
West Palm Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
South Bend
12.6%
South Bend +
West Palm Beach
16.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
South Bend
15.3%
West Palm Beach
13.3%
West Palm Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
South Bend
18.2%
West Palm Beach
13.0%
West Palm Beach +

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
South Bend
49.8°F
South Bend +
West Palm Beach
75.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
South Bend
38.0 in
South Bend +
West Palm Beach
62.3 in

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
West Palm Beach
7.2 µg/m³
West Palm Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
South Bend
55.0%
West Palm Beach
75.0%
West Palm Beach +

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
South Bend
21.6 min
South Bend +
West Palm Beach
25.0 min

Which City is Right for You?

West Palm Beach leads in median household income at $69,261, while south Bend offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $194,972. On public safety, West Palm Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in South Bend. West Palm Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, and West Palm Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, West Palm Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.1%.

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About South Bend & West Palm Beach

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