CostIndexUSA

Missoula, MT vs South Bend, IN Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

MT
Missoula
96.4
overall index
$1,550/mo rent
More AffordableIN
South Bend
92.9
overall index
$1,375/mo rent

South Bend is slightly cheaper than Missoula — 3.6% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Missoula, you would need $77,100 in South Bend. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing21.4%
Missoula
94.9
South Bend
74.6
🛒 Groceries1.9%
Missoula
96
South Bend
94.2
🚗 Transportation≈ Equal
Missoula
103.7
South Bend
104.2
🏥 Healthcare≈ Equal
Missoula
93.8
South Bend
94.3
Utilities+21.6%
Missoula
72.1
South Bend
87.7

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in South Bend, IN
$77,100
$2,900 less needed in South Bend

Formula: salary × (92.9 ÷ 96.4) = salary × 0.9637. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Missoula, MT

Median Home Price
$552,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,550
Housing Index
94.9
Price-to-Rent Ratio
29.7×

South Bend, IN

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

Missoula has 21.4% lower housing costs compared to South Bend.

Income & Job Market

Missoula, MT

Median Household Income
$73,300
Per Capita Income
$41,800
Unemployment Rate
2.5%
Population
73,489
Top Industries
EducationHealthcareTourismGovernmentRetail

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).

Missoula, MT
3.9×income-to-rent ratio

75% 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.