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 85, 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 90.
The standard of living in South Bend ranks as #29 most affordable out of the 129 places we measured in Indiana. By definition, that implies South Bend ranks as the #100 most expensive place in the Hoosier State.
For more reading on life in South Bend, check out:
South Bend Cost Of Living Vs. Indiana
Six factors go into calculating the cost of living index in South Bend. Here is how it fares on each of the criteria:
The Services index in South Bend is 93.
The Groceries index in South Bend is 99.
The Health index in South Bend is 59.
The Housing index in South Bend is 91.
The Transportation index in South Bend is 98.
The Utilities index in South Bend is 92.
| Living Expense | South Bend | Indiana | National Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 85 | 90 | 100 |
| Services | 93 | 97 | 100 |
| Groceries | 99 | 95 | 100 |
| Health | 59 | 72 | 100 |
| Housing | 91 | 98 | 100 |
| Transportation | 98 | 94 | 100 |
| Utilities | 92 | 96 | 100 |
South Bend Cost Of Living Compared To Indiana Averages
Index where 100 = national average. Source: cost-of-living index 2026.
For more reading on cost of living around Indiana, check out:
Protect your home budget Compare home warranties in South Bend Get matched →Source: Cost-of-living index 2026, normalized to US average = 100
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 2020-2024. The key points are:
The Median Home Value in South Bend is $192,339.
The Median Rent in South Bend is $1,033.
The Median Income in South Bend is $55,786.
The Home Value To Income in South Bend is 3.4x.
The Rent To Monthly Income in South Bend is 0.22x.
| Statistic | South Bend | Indiana | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $192,339 | $254,121 | $332,700 |
| Median Rent | $1,033 | $1,062 | $1,413 |
| Median Income | $55,786 | $71,957 | $80,734 |
| Home Value To Income | 3.4x | 3.5x | 4.1x |
| Rent To Monthly Income | 0.22x | 0.18x | 0.21x |
South Bend, IN Costs By Category
Detailed South Bend Services costs vs. Indiana
| Item | South Bend | Indiana |
|---|---|---|
| Shampoo | $1.34 | $1.28 |
| Movie | $13.08 | $12.13 |
| Bowling | $10.44 | $18 |
| Haircut | $20.78 | $24.26 |
| Beauty Salon | $52.07 | $45.56 |
Detailed South Bend Groceries costs vs. Indiana
| Item | South Bend | Indiana |
|---|---|---|
| Ground Beef | $6.31 | $5.84 |
| Fried Chicken | $1.62 | $1.57 |
| Milk | $4.83 | $4.67 |
| Potatoes | $4.96 | $4.93 |
| Pizza | $11.04 | $12.09 |
| Beer | $9.65 | $10.41 |
| Toothpaste | $3.66 | $3.7 |
Detailed South Bend Health costs vs. Indiana
| Item | South Bend | Indiana |
|---|---|---|
| Optometrist | $132.22 | $125.68 |
| Doctor | $117.36 | $135.78 |
| Dentist | $99.95 | $113.29 |
Detailed South Bend Transportation costs vs. Indiana
| Item | South Bend | Indiana |
|---|---|---|
| Gasoline | $3.38 | $3.46 |
| Tire Balancing | $42.17 | $59.92 |
Detailed South Bend Utilities costs vs. Indiana
| Item | South Bend | Indiana |
|---|---|---|
| All Electricity | $199.24 | $193.99 |
| Phone | $190.02 | $192.25 |
South Bend SnackAbility
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 84, 1.0x South Bend.
Mishawaka, IN has a cost of living index of 85, 1.0x South Bend.
Granger, IN has a cost of living index of 106, 1.2x South Bend.
| City | Population | Cost Of Living | Vs. South Bend |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elkhart, IN | 53,733 | 84 | 1.0x |
| Mishawaka, IN | 51,021 | 85 | 1.0x |
| Granger, IN | 30,321 | 106 | 1.2x |
| Niles, MI | 11,803 | 85 | 1.0x |
| Notre Dame, IN | 6,890 | 90 | 1.1x |
| Dunlap, IN | 6,109 | 93 | 1.1x |
