South Bend, IN at a glance
Median household income
$55,786$4,649 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-YearHow much rent can you afford in South Bend, IN?
HUD’s fair market rent for each size, against what a typical household here earns. Change the income to see yours.
How much is rent in South Bend, IN? By bedroom, 2026
HUD's fiscal 2026 Fair Market Rents for South Bend-Mishawaka, IN HUD Metro FMR Area, with the income each one takes if rent stays under 30% of it.
| Unit Size | Monthly Rent | Annual Rent | 30% Rule Min. Income | % of Median Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / Efficiency | $898 | $10,776 | $35,920 | 19.3% |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment | $1,105 | $13,260 | $44,200 | 23.8% |
| 2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark | $1,292 | $15,504 | $51,680 | 27.8% |
| 3-Bedroom Home | $1,567 | $18,804 | $62,680 | 33.7% |
| 4-Bedroom Home | $1,711 | $20,532 | $68,440 | 36.8% |
What a typical income covers in South Bend, IN
The 50/30/20 rule applied to the local median of $55,786 a year ($4,649 a month before tax).
What $55,786 leaves after Indiana taxes
Federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare and Indiana tax on the local median income. Change the salary to see yours.
Rent, jobs and pay in Indiana
Living in South Bend, IN: common questions
What is the median household income in South Bend, IN?
According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in South Bend, IN is $55,786 per year (approximately $4,649 per month).
What is the average rent in South Bend, IN?
The closest official figure is HUD's Fair Market Rent for 2026: $898 for a studio, $1,105 for one bedroom, $1,292 for two, $1,567 for three and $1,711 for four, utilities included.
It is not an average of listings. HUD sets it at the rent 40% of recent movers paid or less for a standard unit, so a new lease on a nicer place will usually cost more.
Is South Bend, IN expensive to live in?
Prices there run 7.1% below the U.S. average. BEA's regional price parity for the metro area is 92.9, where the U.S. is 100. Rent moves the number most: housing is where places differ, while goods cost about the same everywhere.
How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in South Bend, IN?
To keep a $1,292 two-bedroom under 30% of gross income, a household needs about $51,680 a year, or $4,307 a month. That is 93% of what the typical household in South Bend, IN earns.
How much do you need to live comfortably in South Bend, IN?
On the local median income of $55,786 ($4,649 a month before tax), the 50/30/20 rule leaves $2,324 a month for needs like rent, utilities and groceries, $1,395 for everything else and $930 for savings or debt. A two-bedroom at $1,292 takes 56% of the needs share.
How much is the electric bill in South Bend, IN?
Homes in Indiana paid 17.5¢ per kWh on average (EIA). At 900 kWh a month, a typical use, that is about $158. Your bill depends mostly on heating and cooling.