South Bend, IN Cost Of Living

Demographics | Crime | Cost Of Living
Updated: 2023-11-15

Cost Of Living In South Bend, IN Summary

Cost of living in South Bend research summary. The cost of living index is set to 100 for the average place in the United States. A cost of living index above 100 means South Bend is expensive. An index value below 100 means the city is a relatively cheap place to live.

On a city-by-city basis in Indiana, home prices and rent have the biggest impact on the cost of living. Here are the key takeaways based on Saturday Night Science:

  • The cost of living index in South Bend is 81, with 100 being the average.

  • The cost of living index in South Bend is 0.8x lower than the national average.

  • South Bend ranks as the #16 cheapest in Indiana out of 124.

  • South Bend ranks as the #290 cheapest out of 6,412 in the US.

  • The median home value in South Bend is $95,500.

  • The median income in South Bend is $46,002.

Table Of Contents

  1. Summary
  2. National Comparison
  3. Housing Breakdown
  4. Detailed Pricing
  5. Nearby Comparisons
81
South Bend's Overall Cost Of Living
0.8x
Lower Than The National Average

What is the cost of living in South Bend, IN?

According to the most recent data on the cost of living, South Bend has an overall cost of living index of 81, which is 0.8x lower than the national index of 100.

Compared to Indiana, South Bend has a cost of living index that's 0.9x lower than Indiana's index of 91.

The standard of living in South Bend ranks as #16 most affordable out of the 124 places we measured in Indiana. By definition, that implies South Bend ranks as the #108 most expensive place in the Hoosier State.

For more reading on life in South Bend, check out:

16 out of 124
In Indiana
290 out of 6,412
In America

South Bend Cost Of Living Vs. Indiana

Six factors go into calculating the cost of living index in South Bend. Here is how it fairs on each of the criteria:

  • The Services index in South Bend is 101.

  • The Groceries index in South Bend is 90.

  • The Health index in South Bend is 98.

  • The Housing index in South Bend is 55.

  • The Transportation index in South Bend is 93.

  • The Utilities index in South Bend is 94.

Living Expense South Bend Indiana National Average
Overall 81 91 100
Services 101 94 100
Groceries 90 96 100
Health 98 101 100
Housing 55 77 100
Transportation 93 95 100
Utilities 94 106 100
For more reading on cost of living around Indiana, check out:
South Bend Cost of Living Vs. IN

South Bend, IN Housing Cost Breakdown

Housing swings affordability the most between places in Indiana, so we broke down housing costs into more detail. Home and income data comes from the most recent US Census ACS 2017-2021. The key points are:

  • The Median Home Value in South Bend is $95,500.

  • The Median Rent in South Bend is $862.

  • The Median Income in South Bend is $46,002.

  • The Home Value To Income in South Bend is 2.1x.

  • The Rent To Monthly Income in South Bend is 0.22x.

Statistic South Bend Indiana United States
Median Home Value $95,500 $158,500 $244,900
Median Rent $862 $891 $1,163
Median Income $46,002 $61,944 $69,021
Home Value To Income 2.1x 2.6x 3.5x
Rent To Monthly Income 0.22x 0.17x 0.2x
Search Homes For Sale In South Bend, IN
$95,500
Median Home Value
$862
Median Rent
$46,002
Median Income

South Bend, IN Costs By Category

Detailed South Bend Services Costs Vs. Indiana

Item South Bend Indiana
Shampoo $0.89 $1.06
Movie $8.41 $10.68
Bowling $12.11 $14.67
Haircut $17.89 $18.62
Beauty Salon $35.83 $39.05

Detailed South Bend Groceries Costs Vs. Indiana

Item South Bend Indiana
Ground Beef $3.73 $4.22
Fried Chicken $1.23 $1.39
Milk $1.33 $2.05
Potatoes $2.8 $3.29
Pizza $11.66 $10.62
Beer $8.9 $9.38
Toothpaste $1.7 $2.34

Detailed South Bend Health Costs Vs. Indiana

Item South Bend Indiana
Optometrist $110.14 $108.57
Doctor $112.78 $116.17
Dentist $100.56 $99.13

Detailed South Bend Transportation Costs Vs. Indiana

Item South Bend Indiana
Gasoline $2.1 $2.22
Tire Balancing $44.82 $50.07

Detailed South Bend Utilities Costs Vs. Indiana

Item South Bend Indiana
All Electricity $144.58 $167.67
Phone $184.27 $175.64

South Bend SnackAbility

4
/10
Overall SnackAbility
Jobs
5/10
Housing
5
Affordability
8
Diversity
9.5
Safety
3
Amenities
9
Education
6
Commute
8.5

Cost Of Living In Cities Around South Bend

The cost of living varies in the cities and towns around South Bend. Here's a quick look at the cost of living in the most populous nearby places:

  • Elkhart, IN has a cost of living index of 83, 1.0x South Bend.

  • Mishawaka, IN has a cost of living index of 87, 1.1x South Bend.

  • Granger, IN has a cost of living index of 105, 1.3x South Bend.

City Population Cost Of Living Vs. South Bend
Elkhart, IN 53,838 83 1.0x
Mishawaka, IN 50,823 87 1.1x
Granger, IN 30,394 105 1.3x
Niles, MI 11,929 84 1.0x
Dunlap, IN 7,097 88 1.1x
Notre Dame, IN 6,581 89 1.1x

Articles About Indiana

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