South Bend, IN vs Waukee, IA
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
South Bend
74.2
#628 nationally
Waukee
77.3
#263 nationally
Waukee leads in crime level (3.9 vs 26.4). Waukee leads in median household income ($106,846 vs $49,056). South Bend leads in cost of living index (84 vs 106).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Waukee, IA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 74.2 (#628) | 77.3 (#263) |
| Population | 103,395 | 31,645 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $202,170 | $343,274 |
| Median Household Income | $49,056 | $106,846 |
| Average Commute | 20.4 min | 19.6 min |
| Walk Score | 42 | N/A |
| Crime Level | 26.4 | 3.9 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 84 | 106 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+1.5 | R+4.8 |
Data coverage note: Waukee is missing data for 1 metric that South Bend has. Scores with less coverage are penalized — see our methodology.
C
74.2 Score
South Bend, IN
Mid-size Indiana city with community character
Median Home
$202,170
Population
103,395
Crime
Very High
Walk Score
42
Midwest
View South Bend, IN →
C+
77.3 Score
Waukee, IA
Small Iowa city with local appeal
Median Home
$343,274
Population
31,645
Crime
Low
Median Income
$106,846
Midwest
View Waukee, IA →