South Bend IN vs Wichita Falls 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%
Wichita Falls, TX
Texas · Population: 102,558
- Median HH Income$58,568
- Median Home Price$174,763
- Unemployment3.5%
- Bachelor's+25.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
South Bend
102,866
South Bend +
Wichita Falls
102,558
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
South Bend
N/A
Wichita Falls
N/A
Median Age
South Bend
33.9
Wichita Falls
33.0
Wichita Falls +
Foreign Born
South Bend
8.9%
South Bend +
Wichita Falls
7.2%
White
South Bend
54.1%
Wichita Falls
70.1%
Wichita Falls +
Black
South Bend
24.4%
South Bend +
Wichita Falls
12.9%
Asian
South Bend
1.7%
Wichita Falls
2.7%
Wichita Falls +
Hispanic
South Bend
17.3%
Wichita Falls
22.4%
Wichita Falls +
Spanish at Home
South Bend
N/A
Wichita Falls
N/A
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 102,866 | 102,558 | South Bend + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.9 | 33.0 | Wichita Falls + |
| Foreign Born | 8.9% | 7.2% | South Bend + |
| White | 54.1% | 70.1% | Wichita Falls + |
| Black | 24.4% | 12.9% | South Bend + |
| Asian | 1.7% | 2.7% | Wichita Falls + |
| Hispanic | 17.3% | 22.4% | Wichita Falls + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
South Bend
$52,512
Wichita Falls
$58,568
Wichita Falls +
Per Capita Income
South Bend
$29,511
Wichita Falls
$31,987
Wichita Falls +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
South Bend
$58,697
Wichita Falls
$63,758
Wichita Falls +
Unemployment Rate
South Bend
6.0%
Wichita Falls
3.5%
Wichita Falls +
Poverty Rate
South Bend
22.6%
Wichita Falls
17.4%
Wichita Falls +
Bachelor's Degree+
South Bend
29.4%
South Bend +
Wichita Falls
25.0%
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,512 | $58,568 | Wichita Falls + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,511 | $31,987 | Wichita Falls + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $63,758 | Wichita Falls + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 3.5% | Wichita Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.6% | 17.4% | Wichita Falls + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | 25.0% | South Bend + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
South Bend
$194,972
Wichita Falls
$174,763
Wichita Falls +
Homeownership Rate
South Bend
58.8%
South Bend +
Wichita Falls
57.0%
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $194,972 | $174,763 | Wichita Falls + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.8% | 57.0% | South Bend + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
South Bend
370
South Bend +
Wichita Falls
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
South Bend
1719
South Bend +
Wichita Falls
2339
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Wichita Falls, 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%
Wichita Falls
35.4%
Wichita Falls +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
South Bend
15.2%
Wichita Falls
12.6%
Wichita Falls +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
South Bend
20.3%
Wichita Falls
18.8%
Wichita Falls +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
South Bend
12.6%
South Bend +
Wichita Falls
16.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
South Bend
15.3%
South Bend +
Wichita Falls
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
South Bend
18.2%
Wichita Falls
14.9%
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.7% | 35.4% | Wichita Falls + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 12.6% | Wichita Falls + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.3% | 18.8% | Wichita Falls + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 16.9% | South Bend + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 17.8% | South Bend + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 14.9% | Wichita Falls + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
South Bend
49.8°F
South Bend +
Wichita Falls
63.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
South Bend
38.0 in
Wichita Falls
28.9 in
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.8°F | 63.4°F | South Bend + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.0 in | 28.9 in | Wichita Falls + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
Wichita Falls
9.2 µg/m³
Wichita Falls +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
South Bend
55.0%
Wichita Falls
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Wichita Falls + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
South Bend
21.6 min
Wichita Falls
15.8 min
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 15.8 min | Wichita Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Wichita Falls leads in median household income at $58,568, while wichita Falls offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $174,763. On public safety, South Bend is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Wichita Falls. Wichita Falls has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Wichita Falls has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Wichita Falls scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.4%.
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