Cost of living in South Bend
South Bend, located in Indiana, is a city known for its rich history and vibrant community. Understanding the cost of living here is crucial for anyone considering moving to or living in the area.
This guide provides a detailed breakdown of the expenses you can expect, from dining and groceries to housing and transportation, helping you make informed financial decisions.
Cost of Living Summary
Dining and Restaurants
- Inexpensive Restaurant Meal - A meal at a casual restaurant will typically cost $15 on average, with a range between $10 and $30.
- Mid-Range Restaurant (Three-Course Meal for Two) - For a more upscale dining experience, expect to pay around $60, with prices ranging from $50 to $100.
- Fast Food (e.g., McDonald's) - A McMeal or equivalent combo meal averages $7.5, with a range between $7 and $12.
- Beverages (e.g., Domestic Beer, Imported Beer, Cappuccino, Coke/Pepsi) - Domestic beer ranges from $3 to $10.62, imported beer $5 to $12, cappuccino $3 to $11, and Coke/Pepsi $1.25 to $4.
Grocery Prices
- Milk - Milk is priced between $0.53 and $1.06 per liter, averaging $0.8.
- Bread (Loaf of Fresh White Bread) - A loaf of fresh white bread costs between $1.65 and $4.41, with an average price of $2.69.
- Eggs (Dozen) - A dozen eggs range from $1.69 to $4.99, averaging $2.97.
- Fruits (e.g., Apples, Oranges) - Apples cost $2.18 to $6.61 per kg, while oranges range from $2.43 to $11.02 per kg.
- Vegetables (e.g., Potatoes, Lettuce) - Potatoes are priced between $1.3 and $2.2 per kg, and lettuce costs $1.09 to $4.39 per head.
Transportation
- Public Transport (One-Way Ticket) - A one-way local transport ticket costs between $1 and $1.5, with a monthly pass priced at $35.
- Fuel (Gasoline) - Gasoline is priced between $0.72 and $0.94 per liter.
- Taxi Fares - Taxi fares start at $4.7, with a cost of $1.4 to $2 per km and $25 to $31.5 per hour of waiting.
Housing Costs
- 1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre) - Rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in the city centre ranges from $1250 to $2000, averaging $1625.
- 1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, rent ranges from $700 to $950, averaging $825.
- 3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre) - Rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in the city centre ranges from $2400 to $2600, averaging $2500.
- 3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, rent averages $1600.
- Buying Price per Square Meter (City Centre) - The price per square meter to buy an apartment in the city centre averages $1496.
- Buying Price per Square Meter (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, the price per square meter also averages $1496.
Utilities
- Basic Utilities (Electricity, Heating, Water, etc.) - Basic utilities for an 85m2 apartment cost between $100 and $250, averaging $117.65.
- Internet - Internet services range from $35 to $85, with an average cost of $50.
Cost of Living Rankings
The cost of living indices for the United States are compared to New York City (NYC), which serves as the baseline with an index of 100. These provide insights into the relative cost of living in different cities in United States, covering factors like consumer goods, rent, and purchasing power.
Cost of Living Data
Restaurants
Restaurants
Markets
Markets
Transportation
Transportation
Rent Per Month
Rent Per Month
Utilities (Monthly)
Utilities (Monthly)
Sports And Leisure
Sports And Leisure
Clothing And Shoes
Clothing And Shoes
Buy Apartment Price
Buy Apartment Price
Salaries And Financing
Salaries And Financing
Childcare
Childcare
"Key Takeaways"
South Bend offers a relatively affordable cost of living compared to larger metropolitan areas. Housing costs are moderate, especially outside the city centre.
Dining out can be economical, with a variety of options available from inexpensive to mid-range restaurants.
Transportation costs are low, with affordable public transport and gasoline prices.
Conclusion
In conclusion, South Bend, IN, presents a balanced cost of living, making it an attractive option for individuals and families seeking affordability without sacrificing quality of life.
Whether you're considering renting or buying, the housing market offers competitive prices, and the overall expenses for dining, transportation, and utilities are manageable.