City Comparison

Overland Park vs South Bend

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Overland Park

Kansas
106
Above Average
$414,000
Median Home
$1,450/mo
Median Rent
$104,800
Median Income

South Bend

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

The Verdict

32.5%

The cost gap between these cities is 32.5%, with South Bend being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Overland Park has equivalent purchasing power to $56,604 in South Bend.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
109
Overland Park
50
South Bend
Groceries
96
Overland Park
97
South Bend
Utilities
98
Overland Park
94
South Bend
Transportation
95
Overland Park
102
South Bend
Healthcare
102
Overland Park
88
South Bend

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Overland Park has the same purchasing power as $56,604 in South Bend.

Conversely, $75,000 in South Bend equals $99,375 in Overland Park.

Living in Overland Park vs South Bend

Housing Costs

Overland Park's housing index of 109 is higher South Bend's 50, translating to median home prices of $414,000 vs $173,000. The $241,000 difference in home prices means roughly $15,660 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,450/mo in Overland Park compared to $900/mo in South Bend, a monthly difference of $550.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 96 in Overland Park and 97 in South Bend. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Overland Park 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 98 in Overland Park and 94 in South Bend. Monthly utility bills average approximately $392 in Overland Park vs $376 in South Bend. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 102 in Overland Park and 88 in South Bend. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 14-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $104,800 in Overland Park and $48,200 in South Bend. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $98,868 and $60,250 respectively. Overland Park residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,445/month to housing in Overland Park vs $1,125/month in South Bend. In Overland Park, 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 59 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

South Bend is 32.5% more affordable overall with an index of 80 vs 106.
A $75,000 salary in Overland Park has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $56,604 in South Bend, based on the cost of living difference.
Overland Park's housing index is 109 with median homes at $414,000, while South Bend's is 50 with median homes at $173,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving PlannersFinance BooksBudget Planners

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases