City Comparison

South Bend vs Springdale

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

South Bend

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

Springdale

Arkansas
87
Below Average
$299,000
Median Home
$1,000/mo
Median Rent
$62,100
Median Income

The Verdict

8.0%

Living in South Bend costs 8.0% less than Springdale. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in South Bend, you would need $81,563 in Springdale.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
50
South Bend
86
Springdale
Groceries
97
South Bend
97
Springdale
Utilities
94
South Bend
93
Springdale
Transportation
102
South Bend
91
Springdale
Healthcare
88
South Bend
82
Springdale

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in South Bend has the same purchasing power as $81,563 in Springdale.

Conversely, $75,000 in Springdale equals $68,966 in South Bend.

Living in South Bend vs Springdale

Housing Costs

South Bend's housing index of 50 is lower Springdale's 86, translating to median home prices of $173,000 vs $299,000. The $126,000 difference in home prices means roughly $8,196 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $900/mo in South Bend compared to $1,000/mo in Springdale, a monthly difference of $100.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 97 in South Bend and 97 in Springdale. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in South Bend vs $461/month in Springdale. 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 94 in South Bend and 93 in Springdale. Monthly utility bills average approximately $376 in South Bend vs $372 in Springdale. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 88 in South Bend and 82 in Springdale. 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 $48,200 in South Bend and $62,100 in Springdale. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $60,250 and $71,379 respectively. Springdale residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,125/month to housing in South Bend vs $1,449/month in Springdale. In South Bend, median rent of $900/mo fits within this budget. In Springdale, median rent of $1,000/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 36 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

South Bend is 8.0% more affordable overall with an index of 80 vs 87.
A $75,000 salary in South Bend has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $81,563 in Springdale, based on the cost of living difference.
South Bend's housing index is 50 with median homes at $173,000, while Springdale's is 86 with median homes at $299,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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