Cost of living index
South Bend, IN
92.9 / 100
Living in South Bend, IN is 7.1% cheaper than the US average.
Overall prices
92.9
Housing / rent
74.6
vs US average
−7.1%
What it costs to live in South Bend, IN
South Bend, IN has an overall price level of 92.9 compared with the national average of 100, meaning everyday costs run about 7.1% lower than a typical US metro. Housing tells the sharper story: at 74.6 it is 25.4% below the national average. Because rent and mortgage payments are the biggest line in most household budgets, that housing figure is usually what you’ll feel most when you move here.
Common questions
Is South Bend, IN an expensive place to live?
South Bend, IN has an overall cost-of-living index of 92.9, where 100 is the US average. That makes it about 7.1% cheaper than the country as a whole.
Is housing expensive in South Bend, IN?
Housing in South Bend, IN scores 74.6 against a US average of 100 — roughly 25.4% below average. Housing is usually the largest single cost, so it drives most of the overall difference.
How does South Bend, IN compare to the US average cost of living?
Overall prices in South Bend, IN sit at 92.9 versus 100 for the US average, with housing at 74.6. Figures come from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis for 2024.