CostIndexUSA

Abilene, TX vs South Bend, IN Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableTX
Abilene
90.4
overall index
$1,775/mo rent
IN
South Bend
92.9
overall index
$1,375/mo rent

Abilene is slightly cheaper than South Bend — 2.8% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Abilene, you would need $82,200 in South Bend. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing+1.1%
Abilene
73.8
South Bend
74.6
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Abilene
93.8
South Bend
94.2
🚗 Transportation+3.1%
Abilene
101.1
South Bend
104.2
🏥 Healthcare+3.2%
Abilene
91.4
South Bend
94.3
Utilities+8.0%
Abilene
81.2
South Bend
87.7

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Abilene to see what you'd need to earn in South Bend to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in South Bend, IN
$82,200
$2,200 more needed in South Bend

Formula: salary × (92.9 ÷ 90.4) = salary × 1.0277. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Abilene, TX

Median Home Price
$200,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,775
Housing Index
73.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
9.4×

South Bend, IN

Median Home Price
$221,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,375
Housing Index
74.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
13.4×

South Bend has 1.1% higher housing costs compared to Abilene.

Income & Job Market

Abilene, TX

Median Household Income
$61,300
Per Capita Income
$34,900
Unemployment Rate
3.4%
Population
124,451
Top Industries
HealthcareMilitaryEducationRetailManufacturing

South Bend, IN

Median Household Income
$65,800
Per Capita Income
$37,500
Unemployment Rate
4.7%
Population
103,453
Top Industries
HealthcareEducationManufacturingFinanceRetail

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Abilene, TX
2.9×income-to-rent ratio

65% of income left after rent (median)

South Bend, IN
4.0×income-to-rent ratio

75% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.