CostIndexUSA

Mesa, AZ vs South Bend, IN Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

AZ
Mesa
103.3
overall index
$1,725/mo rent
More AffordableIN
South Bend
92.9
overall index
$1,375/mo rent

South Bend is moderately cheaper than Mesa — 10.1% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Mesa, you would need $71,900 in South Bend. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing38.4%
Mesa
121.2
South Bend
74.6
🛒 Groceries0.8%
Mesa
95
South Bend
94.2
🚗 Transportation4.6%
Mesa
109.2
South Bend
104.2
🏥 Healthcare4.6%
Mesa
98.8
South Bend
94.3
Utilities6.0%
Mesa
93.3
South Bend
87.7

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in South Bend, IN
$71,900
$8,100 less needed in South Bend

Formula: salary × (92.9 ÷ 103.3) = salary × 0.8993. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Mesa, AZ

Median Home Price
$442,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,725
Housing Index
121.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
21.4×

South Bend, IN

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

Mesa has 38.4% lower housing costs compared to South Bend.

Income & Job Market

Mesa, AZ

Median Household Income
$85,700
Per Capita Income
$48,800
Unemployment Rate
3.8%
Population
518,012
Top Industries
TechnologyHealthcareRetailManufacturingAerospace

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).

Mesa, AZ
4.1×income-to-rent ratio

76% 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.