City Comparison

South Bend vs Stockholm

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

South Bend

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

Stockholm

Sweden
97
Average
$445,000
Median Home
$1,500/mo
Median Rent
$50,000
Median Income

The Verdict

17.5%

The cost gap between these cities is 17.5%, with South Bend being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in South Bend has equivalent purchasing power to $90,938 in Stockholm.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
50
South Bend
118
Stockholm
Groceries
97
South Bend
92
Stockholm
Utilities
94
South Bend
88
Stockholm
Transportation
102
South Bend
108
Stockholm
Healthcare
88
South Bend
82
Stockholm

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in South Bend has the same purchasing power as $90,938 in Stockholm.

Conversely, $75,000 in Stockholm equals $61,856 in South Bend.

Living in South Bend vs Stockholm

Housing Costs

South Bend's housing index of 50 is lower Stockholm's 118, translating to median home prices of $173,000 vs $445,000. The $272,000 difference in home prices means roughly $17,676 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $900/mo in South Bend compared to $1,500/mo in Stockholm, a monthly difference of $600.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 97 in South Bend and 92 in Stockholm. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in South Bend vs $437/month in Stockholm. 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 88 in Stockholm. Monthly utility bills average approximately $376 in South Bend vs $352 in Stockholm. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 88 in South Bend and 82 in Stockholm. 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 $50,000 in Stockholm. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $60,250 and $51,546 respectively. South Bend residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,125/month to housing in South Bend vs $1,167/month in Stockholm. In South Bend, median rent of $900/mo fits within this budget. In Stockholm, median rent of $1,500/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 68 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

South Bend is 17.5% more affordable overall with an index of 80 vs 97.
A $75,000 salary in South Bend has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $90,938 in Stockholm, based on the cost of living difference.
South Bend's housing index is 50 with median homes at $173,000, while Stockholm's is 118 with median homes at $445,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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