South Bend IN vs Westland MI — 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%
Westland, MI
Michigan · Population: 84,155
- Median HH Income$62,216
- Median Home Price$215,089
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+21.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
South Bend
102,866
South Bend +
Westland
84,155
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
South Bend
N/A
Westland
N/A
Median Age
South Bend
33.9
South Bend +
Westland
38.2
Foreign Born
South Bend
8.9%
Westland
9.2%
Westland +
White
South Bend
54.1%
Westland
63.7%
Westland +
Black
South Bend
24.4%
South Bend +
Westland
22.6%
Asian
South Bend
1.7%
Westland
3.8%
Westland +
Hispanic
South Bend
17.3%
South Bend +
Westland
5.0%
Spanish at Home
South Bend
N/A
Westland
N/A
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 102,866 | 84,155 | South Bend + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.9 | 38.2 | South Bend + |
| Foreign Born | 8.9% | 9.2% | Westland + |
| White | 54.1% | 63.7% | Westland + |
| Black | 24.4% | 22.6% | South Bend + |
| Asian | 1.7% | 3.8% | Westland + |
| Hispanic | 17.3% | 5.0% | South Bend + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
South Bend
$52,512
Westland
$62,216
Westland +
Per Capita Income
South Bend
$29,511
Westland
$33,816
Westland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
South Bend
$58,697
South Bend +
Westland
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
South Bend
6.0%
Westland
5.3%
Westland +
Poverty Rate
South Bend
22.6%
Westland
13.3%
Westland +
Bachelor's Degree+
South Bend
29.4%
South Bend +
Westland
21.7%
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,512 | $62,216 | Westland + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,511 | $33,816 | Westland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $58,052 | South Bend + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 5.3% | Westland + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.6% | 13.3% | Westland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | 21.7% | South Bend + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
South Bend
$194,972
South Bend +
Westland
$215,089
Homeownership Rate
South Bend
58.8%
Westland
61.1%
Westland +
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $194,972 | $215,089 | South Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.8% | 61.1% | Westland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
South Bend
370
South Bend +
Westland
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
South Bend
1719
Westland
1590
Westland +
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 471 | South Bend + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1590 | Westland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
South Bend
39.7%
Westland
34.7%
Westland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
South Bend
15.2%
Westland
12.3%
Westland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
South Bend
20.3%
Westland
20.0%
Westland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
South Bend
12.6%
Westland
7.3%
Westland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
South Bend
15.3%
South Bend +
Westland
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
South Bend
18.2%
Westland
16.6%
Westland +
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.7% | 34.7% | Westland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 12.3% | Westland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.3% | 20.0% | Westland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 7.3% | Westland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 15.6% | South Bend + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 16.6% | Westland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
South Bend
49.8°F
Westland
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
South Bend
38.0 in
Westland
N/A
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Westland, MI | 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
South Bend +
Westland
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
South Bend
55.0%
Westland
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | South Bend + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
South Bend
21.6 min
South Bend +
Westland
27.0 min
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 27.0 min | South Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
Westland leads in median household income at $62,216, 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 471 in Westland. Westland has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and South Bend has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 10.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Westland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.7%.
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