CostIndexUSA

Boise, ID vs South Bend, IN Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

ID
Boise
98.4
overall index
$1,750/mo rent
More AffordableIN
South Bend
92.9
overall index
$1,375/mo rent

South Bend is moderately cheaper than Boise — 5.6% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Boise, you would need $75,500 in South Bend. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing29.4%
Boise
105.6
South Bend
74.6
🛒 Groceries2.1%
Boise
96.2
South Bend
94.2
🚗 Transportation≈ Equal
Boise
103.9
South Bend
104.2
🏥 Healthcare≈ Equal
Boise
94
South Bend
94.3
Utilities+24.0%
Boise
70.7
South Bend
87.7

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in South Bend, IN
$75,500
$4,500 less needed in South Bend

Formula: salary × (92.9 ÷ 98.4) = salary × 0.9441. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Boise, ID

Median Home Price
$479,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,750
Housing Index
105.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
22.8×

South Bend, IN

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

Boise has 29.4% lower housing costs compared to South Bend.

Income & Job Market

Boise, ID

Median Household Income
$82,500
Per Capita Income
$47,000
Unemployment Rate
3.3%
Population
235,984
Top Industries
TechnologyHealthcareManufacturingFinanceAgriculture

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).

Boise, ID
3.9×income-to-rent ratio

75% 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.