2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
South Bend, IN vs Indianapolis, IN

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Indianapolis or is it cheaper to live in South Bend?
- Indianapolis is 8.5% more expensive than South Bend.

Which city has more affordable housing, Indianapolis or South Bend?
- Indianapolis housing costs are 32.0% more expensive than South Bend housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in South Bend or is Health Care more affordable in Indianapolis.
- Health related expenses are 7.3% more in Indianapolis.
 South Bend, INIndianapolis, INUnited States
 Overall  Unlock85.7100
 Food & Groceries89.6  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock100.3100
 Housing47.5  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$221,900$338,100
 Utilities90  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock90.8100
 Miscellaneous94.9  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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Reviews for South Bend    25 Reviews

When it comes to standard of living, neighborhoods, safety, schools, wage earners and tax dollar contributing citizens Mishawaka hands down, will always made better  More

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Moving here is much harder than growing up here, I know from many people I've talked to. When you grow up here you learn how to interact with people, everyone will seem  More

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I’ve lived in the city for 4 years now and have honestly had a good experience so far. I live in a quite neighborhood and have had no issues with crime or violence.  More

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Reviews for Indianapolis    154 Reviews

I lived in Indianapolis for over 23 years, and I really miss the laidback: easy lifestyle there. The prices of most items are lower than elsewhere in the US, including  More

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No car? This city is built for cars. Not friendly to pedestrians; the lack of sidewalks is confounding. Public transportation is limited, with a "spoke wheel" layout  More

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Over 4 years ago

This is a response to another review, but everything I say here is true and I have been a lifelong Indy resident and feel this needs said. The only factual part is  More

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