City Comparison

South Bend vs Warwick

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

South Bend

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

Warwick

Rhode Island
106
Above Average
$413,000
Median Home
$1,425/mo
Median Rent
$74,600
Median Income

The Verdict

24.5%

Living in South Bend costs 24.5% less than Warwick. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in South Bend, you would need $99,375 in Warwick.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
50
South Bend
127
Warwick
Groceries
97
South Bend
102
Warwick
Utilities
94
South Bend
112
Warwick
Transportation
102
South Bend
105
Warwick
Healthcare
88
South Bend
103
Warwick

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in South Bend has the same purchasing power as $99,375 in Warwick.

Conversely, $75,000 in Warwick equals $56,604 in South Bend.

Living in South Bend vs Warwick

Housing Costs

South Bend's housing index of 50 is lower Warwick's 127, translating to median home prices of $173,000 vs $413,000. The $240,000 difference in home prices means roughly $15,600 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $900/mo in South Bend compared to $1,425/mo in Warwick, a monthly difference of $525.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 97 in South Bend and 102 in Warwick. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in South Bend vs $485/month in Warwick. 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 112 in Warwick. Monthly utility bills average approximately $376 in South Bend vs $448 in Warwick. 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 88 in South Bend and 103 in Warwick. 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 $48,200 in South Bend and $74,600 in Warwick. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $60,250 and $70,377 respectively. Warwick 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 $1,741/month in Warwick. In South Bend, median rent of $900/mo fits within this budget. In Warwick, median rent of $1,425/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 77 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

South Bend is 24.5% more affordable overall with an index of 80 vs 106.
A $75,000 salary in South Bend has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $99,375 in Warwick, based on the cost of living difference.
South Bend's housing index is 50 with median homes at $173,000, while Warwick's is 127 with median homes at $413,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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