CostIndexUSA

San Jose, CA vs South Bend, IN Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CA
San Jose
110.4
overall index
$3,400/mo rent
More AffordableIN
South Bend
92.9
overall index
$1,375/mo rent

South Bend is significantly cheaper than San Jose — 15.9% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in San Jose, you would need $67,300 in South Bend. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing64.8%
San Jose
211.9
South Bend
74.6
🛒 Groceries10.5%
San Jose
105.2
South Bend
94.2
🚗 Transportation1.0%
San Jose
105.3
South Bend
104.2
🏥 Healthcare1.0%
San Jose
95.3
South Bend
94.3
Utilities44.0%
San Jose
156.7
South Bend
87.7

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in South Bend, IN
$67,300
$12,700 less needed in South Bend

Formula: salary × (92.9 ÷ 110.4) = salary × 0.8415. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

San Jose, CA

Median Home Price
$1,569,000
Median Monthly Rent
$3,400
Housing Index
211.9
Price-to-Rent Ratio
38.5×

South Bend, IN

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

San Jose has 64.8% lower housing costs compared to South Bend.

Income & Job Market

San Jose, CA

Median Household Income
$153,200
Per Capita Income
$87,300
Unemployment Rate
4.2%
Population
1,013,240
Top Industries
TechnologySemiconductorsSoftwareHealthcareFinance

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).

San Jose, CA
3.8×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.