CostIndexUSA

Burlington, VT vs South Bend, IN Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

VT
Burlington
100.9
overall index
$2,150/mo rent
More AffordableIN
South Bend
92.9
overall index
$1,375/mo rent

South Bend is moderately cheaper than Burlington — 7.9% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Burlington, you would need $73,700 in South Bend. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing28.1%
Burlington
103.8
South Bend
74.6
🛒 Groceries3.2%
Burlington
97.3
South Bend
94.2
🚗 Transportation2.3%
Burlington
106.7
South Bend
104.2
🏥 Healthcare2.3%
Burlington
96.5
South Bend
94.3
Utilities30.2%
Burlington
125.6
South Bend
87.7

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in South Bend, IN
$73,700
$6,300 less needed in South Bend

Formula: salary × (92.9 ÷ 100.9) = salary × 0.9207. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Burlington, VT

Median Home Price
$459,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,150
Housing Index
103.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.8×

South Bend, IN

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

Burlington has 28.1% lower housing costs compared to South Bend.

Income & Job Market

Burlington, VT

Median Household Income
$95,500
Per Capita Income
$54,400
Unemployment Rate
1.9%
Population
44,743
Top Industries
EducationHealthcareTechnologyTourismFinance

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).

Burlington, VT
3.7×income-to-rent ratio

73% 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.