CostIndexUSA

Denver, CO vs South Bend, IN Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CO
Denver
105.8
overall index
$1,850/mo rent
More AffordableIN
South Bend
92.9
overall index
$1,375/mo rent

South Bend is moderately cheaper than Denver — 12.2% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Denver, you would need $70,200 in South Bend. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing49.2%
Denver
146.9
South Bend
74.6
🛒 Groceries6.7%
Denver
101
South Bend
94.2
🚗 Transportation≈ Equal
Denver
104.4
South Bend
104.2
🏥 Healthcare≈ Equal
Denver
94.5
South Bend
94.3
Utilities≈ Equal
Denver
87.9
South Bend
87.7

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in South Bend, IN
$70,200
$9,800 less needed in South Bend

Formula: salary × (92.9 ÷ 105.8) = salary × 0.8781. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Denver, CO

Median Home Price
$559,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,850
Housing Index
146.9
Price-to-Rent Ratio
25.2×

South Bend, IN

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

Denver has 49.2% lower housing costs compared to South Bend.

Income & Job Market

Denver, CO

Median Household Income
$103,100
Per Capita Income
$58,800
Unemployment Rate
3.6%
Population
715,522
Top Industries
TechnologyAerospaceEnergyHealthcareTourism

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).

Denver, CO
4.6×income-to-rent ratio

78% 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.