CostIndexUSA

Garden Grove, CA vs South Bend, IN Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CA
Garden Grove
113.6
overall index
$2,550/mo rent
More AffordableIN
South Bend
92.9
overall index
$1,375/mo rent

South Bend is significantly cheaper than Garden Grove — 18.2% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Garden Grove, you would need $65,400 in South Bend. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing56.2%
Garden Grove
170.4
South Bend
74.6
🛒 Groceries11.6%
Garden Grove
106.6
South Bend
94.2
🚗 Transportation4.9%
Garden Grove
109.6
South Bend
104.2
🏥 Healthcare4.8%
Garden Grove
99.1
South Bend
94.3
Utilities44.7%
Garden Grove
158.6
South Bend
87.7

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in South Bend, IN
$65,400
$14,600 less needed in South Bend

Formula: salary × (92.9 ÷ 113.6) = salary × 0.8178. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Garden Grove, CA

Median Home Price
$565,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,550
Housing Index
170.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.5×

South Bend, IN

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

Garden Grove has 56.2% lower housing costs compared to South Bend.

Income & Job Market

Garden Grove, CA

Median Household Income
$92,000
Per Capita Income
$52,400
Unemployment Rate
5.5%
Population
171,949
Top Industries
HealthcareManufacturingRetailTourismTechnology

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).

Garden Grove, CA
3.0×income-to-rent ratio

67% 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.