CostIndexUSA

Olympia, WA vs South Bend, IN Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

WA
Olympia
103.7
overall index
$2,025/mo rent
More AffordableIN
South Bend
92.9
overall index
$1,375/mo rent

South Bend is moderately cheaper than Olympia — 10.4% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Olympia, you would need $71,700 in South Bend. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing36.1%
Olympia
116.7
South Bend
74.6
🛒 Groceries10.3%
Olympia
105
South Bend
94.2
🚗 Transportation≈ Equal
Olympia
104.4
South Bend
104.2
🏥 Healthcare≈ Equal
Olympia
94.5
South Bend
94.3
Utilities4.4%
Olympia
91.7
South Bend
87.7

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in South Bend, IN
$71,700
$8,300 less needed in South Bend

Formula: salary × (92.9 ÷ 103.7) = salary × 0.8959. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Olympia, WA

Median Home Price
$518,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,025
Housing Index
116.7
Price-to-Rent Ratio
21.3×

South Bend, IN

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

Olympia has 36.1% lower housing costs compared to South Bend.

Income & Job Market

Olympia, WA

Median Household Income
$93,200
Per Capita Income
$53,100
Unemployment Rate
4.1%
Population
53,532
Top Industries
GovernmentHealthcareEducationRetailManufacturing

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).

Olympia, WA
3.8×income-to-rent ratio

74% 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.