CostIndexUSA

South Bend, IN vs Springfield, MA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableIN
South Bend
92.9
overall index
$1,375/mo rent
MA
Springfield
96.1
overall index
$1,925/mo rent

South Bend is slightly cheaper than Springfield — 3.4% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in South Bend, you would need $82,800 in Springfield. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+1.6%
South Bend
74.6
Springfield
75.8
🛒 Groceries+3.0%
South Bend
94.2
Springfield
97
🚗 Transportation+2.0%
South Bend
104.2
Springfield
106.3
🏥 Healthcare+1.9%
South Bend
94.3
Springfield
96.1
Utilities+76.7%
South Bend
87.7
Springfield
155

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Springfield, MA
$82,800
$2,800 more needed in Springfield

Formula: salary × (96.1 ÷ 92.9) = salary × 1.0344. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

South Bend, IN

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

Springfield, MA

Median Home Price
$356,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,925
Housing Index
75.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
15.4×

Springfield has 1.6% higher housing costs compared to South Bend.

Income & Job Market

South Bend, IN

Median Household Income
$65,800
Per Capita Income
$37,500
Unemployment Rate
4.7%
Population
103,453
Top Industries
HealthcareEducationManufacturingFinanceRetail

Springfield, MA

Median Household Income
$67,000
Per Capita Income
$38,200
Unemployment Rate
3.9%
Population
155,929
Top Industries
HealthcareEducationManufacturingFinanceGovernment

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

South Bend, IN
4.0×income-to-rent ratio

75% of income left after rent (median)

Springfield, MA
2.9×income-to-rent ratio

66% 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.