Cost of living in the South Bend Metro Area
2 counties across IN and MI. Population: 324,180.
Last updated May 22, 2026
Rent in the South Bend Metro Area
Average rent across the South Bend-Mishawaka metro area, weighted by county population.
Source: HUD FMR + ACS (population-weighted metro average)
Income and earnings in the South Bend Metro Area
Earnings data averaged across all 2 counties.
Source: ACS (population-weighted metro average)
Home values in the South Bend Metro Area
Average home values and annual property tax across the metro.
Source: ACS (population-weighted metro average)
Energy costs in the South Bend Metro Area
Residential electricity and natural gas estimates.
Source: EIA (state averages applied per county, weighted)
All 2 counties in the South Bend Metro Area
The South Bend-Mishawaka metro area includes 2 counties across IN and MI. Sorted by population.
- South Bend IN$2,858/moPop272,574 Rent$936/mo Income$64,885/yrSouth Bend IN 272,574 $936/mo $64,885/yr $2,858/mo
- Cass County MI$2,865/moPop51,606 Rent$843/mo Income$68,011/yrCass County MI 51,606 $843/mo $68,011/yr $2,865/mo
Compare counties in the South Bend Metro Area
Put two counties side by side to see how rent, taxes and everyday costs stack up across the metro.
Open comparison toolFrequently asked questions about the South Bend Metro Area
Common questions about cost of living in the metro area.
What is the cost of living in the South Bend Metro Area?
The estimated average cost of living in the South Bend-Mishawaka metro area is approximately $2,859 per month for a single person. This is a population-weighted average across the 2 counties that make up the metro area.
What is the average rent in the South Bend Metro Area?
The average one-bedroom rent across the South Bend-Mishawaka metro area is $921 per month, based on HUD Fair Market Rent data weighted by county population.
What is the cheapest county in the South Bend Metro Area?
St. Joseph County, IN is the most affordable county in the South Bend-Mishawaka metro area at approximately $2,858 per month for a single person.
What is the most expensive county in the South Bend Metro Area?
Cass County, MI is the most expensive county in the South Bend-Mishawaka metro area at approximately $2,865 per month for a single person.
How many counties are in the South Bend Metro Area?
The South Bend-Mishawaka metro area covers 2 counties across IN and MI. The five largest by population are South Bend, Cass County.
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About this data
All figures come from official U.S. government sources. Metro-area averages are population-weighted across constituent counties using Census ACS population estimates.