Cost of Living in South Bend, IN
Updated November 2026 · St. Joseph County · South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI metro area · population 103,085
Prices in South Bend are 8.3% below the US average (local index 91.7; the BEA index for the South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI metro area is 92.9), with local housing the biggest saving at 67.8; a single adult's modelled budget is about $2,269 a month and the median rent is $1,033.
Prices by category
CostLiving local estimate. 100 = US average; 110 means prices are 10% higher. Housing reflects South Bend's own median rent compared with the area's average rent; goods, utilities and other services are BEA's official price parities for the South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI metro area, unchanged.
South Bend price index by category, US average = 100: All items 91.7, Housing (rents) 67.8, Goods 94.2, Utilities 87.7, Other services 99.2
It is the 16th most expensive of the 22 Indiana cities in our data. Cheaper than 87% of the cities we cover.
| BEA index | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 92.1 | 91.5 | 91.7 | 92.3 | 91.4 | 92.9 |
Monthly budget by household type
1 adult · 1-bedroom · modelled estimate for South Bend, IN
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $660 | $7,920 | 29% |
| Utilities | $247 | $2,964 | 11% |
| Food at home | $266 | $3,192 | 12% |
| Transportation | $587 | $7,044 | 26% |
| Health care | $349 | $4,188 | 15% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $160 | $1,920 | 7% |
| Total | $2,269 | $27,228 | 100% |
2 adults · 2-bedroom · modelled estimate for South Bend, IN
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $839 | $10,068 | 22% |
| Utilities | $390 | $4,680 | 10% |
| Food at home | $491 | $5,892 | 13% |
| Transportation | $1,161 | $13,932 | 30% |
| Health care | $646 | $7,752 | 17% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $315 | $3,780 | 8% |
| Total | $3,842 | $46,104 | 100% |
2 adults + 2 children · 3-bedroom · modelled estimate for South Bend, IN
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $937 | $11,244 | 20% |
| Utilities | $475 | $5,700 | 10% |
| Food at home | $700 | $8,400 | 15% |
| Transportation | $1,547 | $18,564 | 33% |
| Health care | $602 | $7,224 | 13% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $405 | $4,860 | 9% |
| Total | $4,666 | $55,992 | 100% |
Modelled estimate of basic costs, excluding taxes, child care and savings. Housing is rent excluding tenant-paid utilities (counted under utilities). See how the budget is calculated.
Housing costs in South Bend
Rent by number of bedrooms
| Size | Median rent |
|---|---|
| Studio | $767 |
| 1 bedroom | $814 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,035 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,156 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,377 |
Median rent: Census ACS 2020-2024 median gross rent by bedrooms (rent plus tenant-paid utilities, all renters).
Rent, home values and affordability
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,033 |
| Median contract rent (excl. utilities) | $837 |
| Median home value | $140,400 |
| Owner costs with a mortgage | $1,132/mo |
| Median household income | $55,786 |
| Rent as % of renter income Expensive | 30.2% |
| Home value ÷ household income Very affordable | 2.5× |
Census ACS 5-year 2020-2024.
Electricity and gas prices
Residential electricity in Indiana
17.02¢ per kWh, August 2026
12-month change: +5.0% (from 16.21¢) · US 18.16¢
Average household uses 929 kWh a month in Indiana ≈ $157/month. Source: EIA-861M (statewide average).
Regular gasoline regional figure: Midwest (PADD 2)
$4.10 per gallon, week of 2026-11-02
12-month change: +45.0% (from $2.83) · US $4.15
EIA weekly retail price survey; Indiana is covered by the Midwest (PADD 2) average.
Inflation in the Midwest
Consumer prices in the Midwest Census region rose +4.2% in the 12 months to September 2026 (US +3.7%). Nationally, food at home changed +1.8%, shelter +3.2% and energy +20.4%. Source: BLS CPI-U, not seasonally adjusted. CPI is published for regions and large metro areas, so the regional figure is shown.
Salary equivalent
Because prices in South Bend are 8.3% below the US average, $60,000 here has the buying power of about $65,400 in an average-priced US area.
Formula: US-equivalent = salary × 100 ÷ 91.7. Based on the local cost index (CostLiving estimate from BEA RPP and Census rents); taxes not included.
Nearby cities
| City | Distance | Index | Budget (single) | Median rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mishawaka, IN | 5 mi | 92.1 | $2,429 | $1,070 |
| Elkhart, IN | 16 mi | 90.5 | $2,290 | $998 |
| Winona Lake, IN | 40 mi | 93.0 | $2,360 | $1,132 |
| Kalamazoo, MI | 54 mi | 94.1 | $2,441 | $1,078 |
| Gary, IN | 56 mi | 98.2 | $2,268 | $1,012 |
| Hammond, IN | 63 mi | 99.8 | $2,441 | $1,134 |
Cities with a similar cost of living
| City | Index | Budget (single) | Median rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| La Crosse, WI | 91.7 | $2,332 | $1,010 |
| Pocatello, ID | 91.7 | $2,170 | $948 |
| Springfield, IL | 91.8 | $2,207 | $975 |
| Appleton, WI | 91.6 | $2,246 | $1,030 |
| College Station, TX | 91.8 | $2,493 | $1,194 |
| Bryan, TX | 91.8 | $2,423 | $1,195 |
Compare South Bend with another city
Frequently asked questions
Is South Bend, IN an expensive place to live?
South Bend has a local cost of living index of 91.7, which is 8.3% below the US average. This CostLiving estimate starts from the BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI metro area (92.9) and adjusts housing to South Bend's own rents. It is 1.6 points below the Indiana average. It is the 16th most expensive of the 22 Indiana cities in our data. Cheaper than 87% of the cities we cover.
How much money do you need to live in South Bend?
Our modelled estimate of basic monthly costs is $2,269 for a single adult, $3,842 for a couple and $4,666 for a family of four, before taxes, child care and savings. A $60,000 salary in an average-priced US area buys about the same as $55,000 in South Bend.
What is the average rent in South Bend?
The median gross rent (rent plus tenant-paid utilities) is $1,033 a month (Census ACS 2020-2024). By size: 1 bedroom $814, 2 bedrooms $1,035, 3 bedrooms $1,156. The typical renter spends 30.2% of household income on rent (expensive).
How much does a house cost in South Bend?
The median owner-estimated home value is $140,400, 2.5 times the median household income of $55,786 (very affordable). Owners with a mortgage pay a median $1,132 a month in housing costs.
How much is electricity and gas in South Bend?
Indiana residential electricity averaged 17.02¢ per kWh in August 2026 (US 18.16¢). Regular gasoline was $4.10 a gallon (Midwest (PADD 2) average, week of 2026-11-02).
Sources and notes
- Local cost index: CostLiving estimate from BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI metropolitan statistical area (BEA index 92.9) with housing from Census ACS median rent (city figure); see the methodology.
- Rents, home values, income, population: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year 2020-2024, Census place 1871000 (South Bend city).
- Electricity: EIA-861M, Indiana residential average, August 2026.
- Gasoline: EIA weekly retail regular gasoline, Midwest (PADD 2), week of 2026-11-02.
- Inflation: BLS CPI-U Midwest region, September 2026.
- Budget baselines: BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey 2025; electricity use by household size: EIA RECS 2020.
- Gasoline price: regional figure (EIA publishes weekly prices for only 9 states).
Labels such as “county figure” or “state nonmetro figure” mark values that come from a larger area because the city-level figure is unavailable or unreliable. The monthly budget is a modelled estimate, not observed spending, and excludes taxes. This page is for general information and is not financial advice. Methodology · All sources