City Comparison

Gresham vs South Bend

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Gresham

Oregon
128
Expensive
$459,000
Median Home
$1,450/mo
Median Rent
$69,600
Median Income

South Bend

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

The Verdict

60.0%

Living in South Bend costs 60.0% less than Gresham. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Gresham, you would need $46,875 in South Bend.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
172
Gresham
50
South Bend
Groceries
101
Gresham
97
South Bend
Utilities
96
Gresham
94
South Bend
Transportation
126
Gresham
102
South Bend
Healthcare
103
Gresham
88
South Bend

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Gresham has the same purchasing power as $46,875 in South Bend.

Conversely, $75,000 in South Bend equals $120,000 in Gresham.

Living in Gresham vs South Bend

Housing Costs

Gresham's housing index of 172 is higher South Bend's 50, translating to median home prices of $459,000 vs $173,000. The $286,000 difference in home prices means roughly $18,588 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,450/mo in Gresham compared to $900/mo in South Bend, a monthly difference of $550.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 101 in Gresham and 97 in South Bend. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Gresham 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 96 in Gresham and 94 in South Bend. Monthly utility bills average approximately $384 in Gresham vs $376 in South Bend. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 103 in Gresham and 88 in South Bend. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 15-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $69,600 in Gresham and $48,200 in South Bend. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $54,375 and $60,250 respectively. South Bend residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,624/month to housing in Gresham vs $1,125/month in South Bend. In Gresham, median rent of $1,450/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 Housing, where the gap is 122 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

South Bend is 60.0% more affordable overall with an index of 80 vs 128.
A $75,000 salary in Gresham has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $46,875 in South Bend, based on the cost of living difference.
Gresham's housing index is 172 with median homes at $459,000, while South Bend's is 50 with median homes at $173,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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