City Comparison

Killeen vs South Bend

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Killeen

Texas
84
Very Affordable
$235,000
Median Home
$975/mo
Median Rent
$56,400
Median Income

South Bend

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

The Verdict

5.0%

Living in South Bend costs 5.0% less than Killeen. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Killeen, you would need $71,429 in South Bend.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
56
Killeen
50
South Bend
Groceries
96
Killeen
97
South Bend
Utilities
108
Killeen
94
South Bend
Transportation
95
Killeen
102
South Bend
Healthcare
96
Killeen
88
South Bend

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Killeen has the same purchasing power as $71,429 in South Bend.

Conversely, $75,000 in South Bend equals $78,750 in Killeen.

Living in Killeen vs South Bend

Housing Costs

Killeen's housing index of 56 is higher South Bend's 50, translating to median home prices of $235,000 vs $173,000. The $62,000 difference in home prices means roughly $4,032 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $975/mo in Killeen compared to $900/mo in South Bend, a monthly difference of $75.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 96 in Killeen and 97 in South Bend. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Killeen 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 108 in Killeen and 94 in South Bend. Monthly utility bills average approximately $432 in Killeen 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 96 in Killeen and 88 in South Bend. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $56,400 in Killeen and $48,200 in South Bend. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $67,143 and $60,250 respectively. Killeen residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,316/month to housing in Killeen vs $1,125/month in South Bend. In Killeen, median rent of $975/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 14 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

South Bend is 5.0% more affordable overall with an index of 80 vs 84.
A $75,000 salary in Killeen has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $71,429 in South Bend, based on the cost of living difference.
Killeen's housing index is 56 with median homes at $235,000, while South Bend's is 50 with median homes at $173,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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