Living in South Bend, Indiana
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of South Bend · Census data 2020–2024
South Bend has 103,085 residents with a median age of 34.8. The median household income is $55,786 (22% lower than the Indiana median), the median home value is $140,400, the median rent is $1,033/month.
South Bend at a glance
- Population
- 103,085
- Median age
- 34.8State: 38.1
- Median household income
- $55,786State: $71,957
- Median home value
- $140,400State: $218,200
- Median rent
- $1,033/moState: $1,062
- Homeowners
- 60.2%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 29.3%
- Average commute
- 20 min
Is South Bend a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 36% lower than the state median; an average commute of 20 minutes.
Cons: Median household income 22% lower than the Indiana median; unemployment of 6.5%; a poverty rate of 20.8%.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in South Bend
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In South Bend the median home value is $140,400, 58% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,033 per month, which is 30.2% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,132 a month in housing costs.
South Bend median household income
The median household income in South Bend is $55,786 and the income per person is $30,791. 20.8% of residents live below the poverty line (Indiana: 12.3%).
Housing in South Bend: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 47,775
- Owner-occupied
- 60.2%
- Renter-occupied
- 39.8%
- Vacant
- 13.6%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1955
- Average household size
- 2.44
South Bend demographics
- Population
- 103,085
- Median age
- 34.8
- Under 18
- 25.5%
- 65 and older
- 15%
- Households
- 41,282
- Foreign-born
- 8.5%
- Veterans
- 4.9%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of South Bend ›
Education in South Bend
29.3% of adults 25 and older in South Bend have a bachelor's degree or higher (Indiana: 29.5%), and 12.1% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in South Bend
- Unemployment rate
- 6.5%State: 4.3%
- Average commute
- 20 minState: 24 min
- Work from home
- 11.2%
- Drive alone
- 71.1%
- Public transit
- 1.6%
- Walk to work
- 2.2%
- Homes with broadband
- 88.9%
South Bend vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Bend | 103,085 | $55,786 | $140,400 | $1,033 |
| Notre Dame | 6,890 | $19,886 | — | $1,258 |
| Roseland | 1,175 | $47,917 | $122,500 | $1,227 |
| Ardmore | 1,810 | $47,069 | $143,100 | $1,081 |
| Gilmer Park | 1,055 | $76,818 | $156,300 | — |
| Mishawaka | 51,021 | $54,291 | $155,500 | $1,070 |
| Chain-O-Lakes | 490 | $88,018 | $266,800 | — |
| Granger | 30,321 | $123,318 | $331,100 | $1,656 |
| Osceola | 2,593 | $66,503 | $196,900 | $1,654 |
More for people moving to South Bend
South Bend ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in South Bend: FAQ
What is the median household income in South Bend, IN?
The median household income in South Bend is $55,786, 22% lower than the Indiana median of $71,957 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in South Bend?
The median home value in South Bend is $140,400, compared with $218,200 in Indiana.
How much is rent in South Bend?
The median gross rent in South Bend is $1,033 per month, about 30.2% of household income.
Is South Bend, IN a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 36% lower than the state median; an average commute of 20 minutes. Minuses: median household income 22% lower than the Indiana median; unemployment of 6.5%; a poverty rate of 20.8%.
What is the median age in South Bend?
The median age in South Bend is 34.8 years (Indiana: 38.1).
How long is the commute in South Bend?
The average commute to work in South Bend is 20 minutes; 11.2% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in South Bend?
The unemployment rate in South Bend is 6.5% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is South Bend?
29.3% of adults in South Bend have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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