South Bend, IN vs Wheaton, IL
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
Wheaton
75.2
#497 nationally
Wheaton leads in crime level (1.4 vs 26.4). Wheaton leads in median household income ($113,523 vs $49,056). South Bend leads in cost of living index (84 vs 126).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Wheaton, IL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 74.2 (#628) | 75.2 (#497) |
| Population | 103,395 | 52,938 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $202,170 | $518,505 |
| Median Household Income | $49,056 | $113,523 |
| Average Commute | 20.4 min | 26.5 min |
| Walk Score | 42 | 40 |
| Crime Level | 26.4 | 1.4 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 84 | 126 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+1.5 | D+13.3 |
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
75.2 Score
Wheaton, IL
Illinois community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$518,505
Population
52,938
Crime
Very Low
Walk Score
40
Midwest
View Wheaton, IL →
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