Cost of living in South Bend, IN Livability score 71 · cost-of-living index 91.4 (US = 100)
How South Bend compares Where South Bend falls within the range of all 200 metros (marker = this city).
Cost-of-living index (US=100) 85 118 Cost-of-living index (US=100): 91 — range 85 to 118 across all metros 91 Median home price $149k $1610k Median home price: $239k — range $149k to $1610k across all metros $239k Price per sqft (more house = lower) $88 $1074 Price per sqft (more house = lower): $126 — range $88 to $1074 across all metros $126 Combined sales tax 0.0% 11.5% Combined sales tax: 7.0% — range 0.0% to 11.5% across all metros 7.0% Property tax rate 0.28% 2.76% Property tax rate: 0.90% — range 0.28% to 2.76% across all metros 0.90% Violent crime (per 100k) 110 1,000 Violent crime (per 100k): 360 — range 110 to 1,000 across all metros 360 Electricity (¢/kWh) 12.3 46.6 Electricity (¢/kWh): 17.9 — range 12.3 to 46.6 across all metros 17.9 Avg summer high (°F) 65° 104° Avg summer high (°F): 86° — range 65° to 104° across all metros 86° Avg winter low (°F) -2° 72° Avg winter low (°F): 20° — range -2° to 72° across all metros 20° Map of South Bend Grocery stores, parks, golf courses and more — real listings. Toggle categories in the legend.
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors · business listings via Google Maps
Cost of living Metric Value US rank Cost-of-living index (US=100) 91.4 #47 of 200 Grocery index (US=100) 94.7 #58 of 200 Big Mac price (est.) $5.20 #46 of 200 Median household income $62,448 #159 of 200 Median wage (all occupations) $36,449 #156 of 200
Economy Metric Value US rank Unemployment rate 4.85% #78 of 200 Population growth (5-yr) +1.2% #144 of 200
Housing — what your money buys Metric Value US rank Median home price $238,866 #36 of 200 Home price ÷ income (affordability) 3.8× #36 of 200 1-yr home appreciation +5.7% #12 of 200 Price per square foot $126 #36 of 200 Typical home size (implied) 1,900 sqft Median rent (monthly) $1,340 #35 of 200 Homes for sale (inventory) 957 Median days on market 9 #43 of 200
Taxes Metric Value US rank Total tax burden (est. % of income) 9.3% #58 of 200 Combined sales tax 7.00% #64 of 200 State income tax (top rate) 3.05% Capital gains tax 3.05% #49 of 200 High earners No special surtax Effective property tax rate 0.90% #108 of 200 Median property tax paid $1,522 #37 of 200
Healthcare & childcare Metric Value US rank Healthcare (annual, single adult) $6,600 #65 of 200 Childcare (annual, infant, center) $12,000 #110 of 200
Vehicles & commute Metric Value US rank Annual registration $200 #135 of 200 Vehicle property tax (annual) 1.20% of value (~$336/yr) #155 of 200 Emissions testing Required Emissions detail Required in major metro counties DMV & license offices 2 Avg commute to work 22 min #39 of 200
Utilities & fuel Metric Value US rank Electricity 17.9¢/kWh #122 of 200 Avg monthly electric bill $161 #122 of 200 Gasoline $3.30/gal #94 of 200
Insurance Metric Value US rank Home insurance (annual) $1,600 #80 of 200 Auto insurance (annual) $1,400 #18 of 200
Disaster risk & supplemental insurance Metric Value US rank Main natural hazards Notable hazards: tornadoes — separate flood/quake/windstorm policies may be needed. Flood insurance (annual, NFIP) $600 #16 of 200 Earthquake insurance (annual) $100 #1 of 200
Climate & air quality Metric Value US rank Air quality (median AQI, lower=cleaner) 45 #91 of 200 Cooling degree-days (AC load) 900 #66 of 200 Heating degree-days (heat load) 5,700 #141 of 200 Avg summer high 86°F #87 of 200 Avg winter low 20°F #147 of 200 Plant hardiness zone 6a Frost window 04-30 → 10-15
Safety Metric Value US rank Violent crime (per 100k) 360 #61 of 200 Property crime (per 100k) 2,000 #83 of 200
Local amenities & recreation Metric Value US rank Grocery stores 16 #190 of 200 Parks 28 Hiking areas 5 Golf courses 11 Shooting ranges 4 Lakes 5
Permits Metric Value US rank Building permit difficulty (1–5) 2 #1 of 200 Permit detail Generally easy
US rank = this metro's position among all 200 metros (1 = best: cheapest / safest / highest income, etc.). Childcare is a family cost, not included in the salary-equivalence total.
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Estimates for guidance only — not financial or legal advice. Live/official data:
cost-of-living & grocery (BEA RPP); home price, rent, inventory, days-on-market (Zillow);
income & property tax (US Census ACS); electricity (US EIA); plant-hardiness (USDA);
crime (FBI UCR); local grocery, park, hiking, golf, shooting-range, lake & DMV
counts (Google Maps listings) via our own scraper.
Taxes (Tax Foundation) and insurance, emissions, permits, climate, wages and fuel use
sourced state/metro figures.