Home › IN › South Bend, IN 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, state avg) 110 1,000 Violent crime (per 100k, state avg): 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.
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Cost of living Metric Value Scope US rank Cost-of-living index (US=100) 91.4 metro-area #47 of 200 Grocery index (US=100) 94.7 metro-area #58 of 200 Big Mac price (est.) $5.20 metro-area #46 of 200 Median household income $62,448 metro-area #159 of 200 Median wage (all occupations) $36,449 metro-area #156 of 200
Who lives here Metric Value Scope US rank Median age 37.9 years metro-area #82 of 200 Bachelor's degree or higher (25+) 30.7% metro-area #129 of 200 Foreign-born residents 6.1% metro-area #141 of 200 Homes that are owner-occupied 70.8% metro-area #36 of 200
Economy Metric Value Scope US rank Unemployment rate 4.85% metro-area #78 of 200 Population growth (5-yr) +1.2% metro-area #144 of 200
Housing — what your money buys Metric Value Scope US rank Median home price $238,866 metro-area #36 of 200 Home price ÷ income (affordability) 3.8× metro-area #36 of 200 1-yr home appreciation +5.7% metro-area #12 of 200 Price per square foot $126 metro-area #36 of 200 Typical home size (implied) 1,900 sqft Median rent (monthly) $1,340 metro-area #35 of 200 Homes for sale (inventory) 957 Median days on market 9 metro-area #43 of 200
Taxes Metric Value Scope US rank Total tax burden (est. % of income) 9.3% state #58 of 200 Combined sales tax 7.00% state #64 of 200 State income tax (top rate) 3.00% Capital gains tax 3.05% state #49 of 200 High earners No special surtax Social Security in retirement Not taxed — does not tax Social Security benefits Effective property tax rate 0.90% metro-area #108 of 200 Median property tax paid $1,522 metro-area #37 of 200
Health & childcare Metric Value Scope US rank Life expectancy at birth 75.2 years metro-area #146 of 200 Healthcare (annual, single adult) $6,600 state #65 of 200 Uninsured (share of residents) 7.9% metro-area #91 of 200 Primary care providers per 100k 79 metro-area #84 of 200 Childcare (annual, infant, center) $12,000 state #110 of 200
Vehicles & commute Metric Value Scope US rank Annual registration $200 state #135 of 200 Vehicle property tax (annual) 1.20% of value (~$336/yr) state #155 of 200 Emissions testing Required Emissions detail Required in major metro counties DMV & license offices 2 Avg commute to work 22 min metro-area #39 of 200 Commute by driving alone 75.6% metro-area #104 of 200 Solo drivers commuting 30+ min 25.9% metro-area #47 of 200
Utilities & fuel Metric Value Scope US rank Electricity 17.9¢/kWh state #122 of 200 Avg monthly electric bill $161 state #122 of 200 Gasoline $3.30/gal state #94 of 200 Natural gas (avg monthly bill) $72 state #100 of 200 Water & sewer (avg monthly bill) $102 state #93 of 200 Home internet (avg monthly bill) $81 state #121 of 200
Insurance Metric Value Scope US rank Home insurance (annual) $1,600 state #80 of 200 Auto insurance (annual) $1,400 state #18 of 200
Disaster risk & supplemental insurance Metric Value Scope US rank Main natural hazards Notable hazards: tornadoes — separate flood/quake/windstorm policies may be needed. FEMA National Risk Index (0–100, higher = more risk) 79.8 — Relatively Low metro-area #24 of 200 Flood insurance (annual, NFIP) $600 state #16 of 200 Earthquake insurance (annual) $100 state #1 of 200
Climate & air quality Metric Value Scope US rank Air quality (median AQI, lower=cleaner) 45 metro-area #91 of 200 Cooling degree-days (AC load) 900 metro-area #66 of 200 Homes with air conditioning (state) 94% state #64 of 200 Heating degree-days (heat load) 5,700 metro-area #141 of 200 Days per year ≥ 90°F 10 metro-area #45 of 200 Days per year ≥ 100°F 0 metro-area #5 of 200 Avg summer high (state) 86°F metro-area #87 of 200 Avg winter low 20°F metro-area #147 of 200 Annual precipitation 43.6" metro-area #101 of 200 Annual snowfall 25.5" metro-area #137 of 200 Sunshine (% of possible) 55% metro-area #150 of 200 Plant hardiness zone 6a Frost window 04-30 → 10-15
Safety Metric Value Scope US rank Violent crime (per 100k, state avg) 360 state #61 of 200 Property crime (per 100k, state avg) 2,000 state #83 of 200
Local amenities & recreation Metric Value Scope US rank Grocery stores 16 metro-area #190 of 200 Parks 28 Hiking areas 5 Golf courses 11 Shooting ranges 4 Lakes 5
Permits Metric Value Scope US rank Building permit difficulty (1–5) 2 state #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.
Top employers in South Bend Major public and private employers in the South Bend, IN area.
Salaries by occupation in South Bend Local median pay, BLS OEWS. All occupations →
Occupation Median pay Dentists $174,360 Pharmacists $133,790 Financial Managers $129,210 Lawyers $127,650 Marketing Managers $126,870 Human Resources Managers $124,830 Physician Assistants $123,260 General & Operations Managers $102,420 Software Developers $102,220 Construction Managers $101,130 Physical Therapists $99,770 Registered Nurses $90,140 Civil Engineers $85,170 Dental Hygienists $81,420 Mechanical Engineers $81,160 Data Scientists $79,080 Electricians $77,250 Accountants & Auditors $73,000 Web Developers $67,090 Plumbers, Pipefitters & Steamfitters $66,150 Police & Sheriff's Patrol Officers $64,770 Real Estate Sales Agents $62,860 Carpenters $58,870 Heavy & Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers $57,720 Elementary School Teachers $49,160 Graphic Designers $48,420 Welders, Cutters & Solderers $45,690 Medical Assistants $39,060
Cities in the South Bend area
What your paycheck is really worth, city by city — cost of living, taxes,
housing and pay across 200 US metros and 3,220 towns.
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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 from Google Maps public listings.
Taxes (Tax Foundation) and insurance, emissions, permits, climate, wages and fuel use
sourced state/metro figures.
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