South Bend, Indiana
Cost of living, housing, income, commute, climate, and safety — compiled for relocators researching South Bend.
MapsToIt planning snapshot
How much does it cost to live in South Bend?
South Bend, IN has a MapsToIt housing cost index of 58 (among the more affordable large markets in this catalog; 100 = U.S. avg). Median home value is about $124,500 and median rent about $1,000, against national ACS medians of $303,400 and $1,348. Median household income is roughly $52,512. Typical commute is 20 minutes; summer highs average 81°F. Violent-offense rates run about 1331.1 per 100k (catalog avg 586.6).
Crime figures may use an older source vintage than housing and income on this page.
- Housing cost index
- 58U.S. avg 100
- Median home value
- $124,500U.S. $303,400
- Median rent
- $1,000U.S. $1,348
- Median income
- $52,512U.S. $78,538
- Unemployment
- 4.1%U.S. 4.2%
- Avg commute
- 20 minCatalog avg 25 min
- Violent crime
- 1331.1per 100k · avg 586.6
- Summer high
- 81°FCatalog avg 87°F
Key figures
Each metric shows how South Bend compares with the U.S. baseline (ACS/BLS nationals where available; catalog-city averages for crime, climate, and commute). Income, housing, population, and crime are for the incorporated city (city limits), not the broader metro/MSA — unemployment is county-level (BLS LAUS).
- Population
- 103,713City limits · Census PEP 2024 estimate
As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024 - Median household income
- $52,512Incorporated place (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year33% below U.S. avgU.S. $78,538 - Housing cost index
- 58ACS home+rent vs U.S. (100 = avg)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year42% below U.S. avgU.S. 100 - Median home value
- $124,500City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year59% below U.S. avgU.S. $303,400 - Median rent
- $1,000City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year26% below U.S. avgU.S. $1,348 - Unemployment
- 4.1%County LAUS · not city-only
As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026Near U.S. avg (4.2 pts)U.S. 4.2 pts - Avg commute
- 20 min20% below U.S. avgU.S. 25 min
- Walk Score
- 4011% below U.S. avgU.S. 45
- Violent crime rate
- 1331.1annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)127% above U.S. avgU.S. 586.6 - Property crime rate
- 4214.1annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)36% above U.S. avgU.S. 3087.9 - Summer high
- 81°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals6.0°F below U.S. avgU.S. 87°F
- Winter low
- 20°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals14.0°F below U.S. avgU.S. 34°F
- Annual rainfall
- 39.2 inAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals19% above U.S. avgU.S. 33 in
- Sunny days
- 218As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals19% below U.S. avgU.S. 268
Population trend
South Bend grew 2.5% from 101,197 in 2010 to 103,713 in 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024). Playback steps monthly between annual Census PEP estimates.
Is South Bend expensive compared to the U.S. average?
South Bend's housing cost index is 58 versus 100 nationally — among the more affordable large markets in this catalog. That gap is driven mainly by ACS median home values ($124,500 vs $303,400) and rents ($1,000 vs $1,348).
- Housing cost index 58 (U.S. 100)
- Median home $124,500 vs U.S. $303,400
- Median rent $1,000 vs U.S. $1,348
How much does housing cost in South Bend?
Typical ownership costs center near $124,500, while median gross rent is about $1,000 a month. Against a median household income of $52,512, rent alone is roughly 23% of income on an annualized basis.
- Median home value $124,500
- Median rent $1,000/month
- Median household income $52,512
What is the job market like in South Bend?
County unemployment recently ran 4.1% versus a U.S. rate of 4.2%. Median household income in South Bend is about $52,512 (U.S. $78,538).
- Unemployment 4.1% (U.S. 4.2%)
- Median income $52,512
How long is the typical commute in South Bend?
Average one-way commute time is about 20 minutes, with Walk Score near 40/100. The catalog-city average commute is 25 minutes.
- 20 minutes average one-way
- Walk Score 40/100
Is South Bend safer than similar U.S. cities?
Published violent-offense rates are about 1331.1 per 100k and property about 4214.1 per 100k, versus catalog averages of 586.6 and 3087.9. Citywide rates hide large neighborhood differences.
- Violent 1331.1 per 100k
- Property 4214.1 per 100k
What is the climate like year-round in South Bend?
Normals show summer highs near 81°F, winter lows near 20°F, about 39.2 inches of rain, and roughly 218 sunny days a year.
- Summer high 81°F
- Winter low 20°F
- 39.2 in rain · 218 sunny days
South Bend (pop. 103,713) sits in Indiana. Median household income is roughly $52,512, while the ACS housing-cost index sits near 58 — among the more affordable large markets in this catalog on housing costs (100 ≈ U.S. average). Entry home prices around $124,500 still look attainable compared with coastal metros.
South Bend is compact enough that a single wrong neighborhood choice is easy to feel day to day — visit at commute hour before signing. Figures on this page are merged from Census ACS, BLS LAUS, FBI Crime Data Explorer, and NOAA Climate Normals — use them to compare South Bend with nearby alternatives before you relocate.
Midwest industrial corridors and flat farmland still set the cost baseline. Winter lows around 20°F mean heating costs and snow logistics belong on the checklist. Plan on roughly 20 minutes each way for a typical commute; Walk Score is about 40. Unemployment recently ran near 4.1%, broadly in line with many large U.S. counties. FBI CDE violent-offense rates run comparatively high (~1331.1 per 100k annualized), so block-by-block due diligence is especially important.
Nearby & similar cities
Continue researching with these internal links — each page is a full data profile.
Sources
- Census / ACS: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 5-year (South Bend city, 1600000US1871000) — As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year
- BLS: BLS LAUS · St. Joseph County, July 2026 — As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026
- Crime: FBI CIUS Table 8 (2019) city offenses known to law enforcement — rates per 100k; CDE API unavailable at enrich time — As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)
- Climate: NOAA 1991–2020 Monthly Normals (USW00014848 SOUTH BEND MICHIANA RGNL AP) — As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals
- Population trend: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024) — As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024
Catalog refreshed 2026-09-10