City Comparison

Davenport vs South Bend

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Davenport

Iowa
83
Very Affordable
$212,000
Median Home
$900/mo
Median Rent
$66,200
Median Income

South Bend

Indiana
80
Very Affordable
$173,000
Median Home
$900/mo
Median Rent
$48,200
Median Income

The Verdict

3.8%

The cost gap between these cities is 3.8%, with South Bend being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Davenport has equivalent purchasing power to $72,289 in South Bend.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
60
Davenport
50
South Bend
Groceries
97
Davenport
97
South Bend
Utilities
83
Davenport
94
South Bend
Transportation
105
Davenport
102
South Bend
Healthcare
97
Davenport
88
South Bend

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Davenport has the same purchasing power as $72,289 in South Bend.

Conversely, $75,000 in South Bend equals $77,813 in Davenport.

Living in Davenport vs South Bend

Housing Costs

Davenport's housing index of 60 is higher South Bend's 50, translating to median home prices of $212,000 vs $173,000. The $39,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,532 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $900/mo in Davenport compared to $900/mo in South Bend, a monthly difference of $0.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 97 in Davenport and 97 in South Bend. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Davenport vs $461/month in South Bend. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 83 in Davenport and 94 in South Bend. Monthly utility bills average approximately $332 in Davenport vs $376 in South Bend. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 97 in Davenport and 88 in South Bend. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 9-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $66,200 in Davenport and $48,200 in South Bend. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $79,759 and $60,250 respectively. Davenport residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,545/month to housing in Davenport vs $1,125/month in South Bend. In Davenport, median rent of $900/mo fits within this budget. In South Bend, median rent of $900/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 11 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

South Bend is 3.8% more affordable overall with an index of 80 vs 83.
A $75,000 salary in Davenport has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $72,289 in South Bend, based on the cost of living difference.
Davenport's housing index is 60 with median homes at $212,000, while South Bend's is 50 with median homes at $173,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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