CostIndexUSA

Racine, WI vs South Bend, IN Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

WI
Racine
96
overall index
$1,325/mo rent
More AffordableIN
South Bend
92.9
overall index
$1,375/mo rent

South Bend is slightly cheaper than Racine — 3.2% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Racine, you would need $77,400 in South Bend. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing18.9%
Racine
92
South Bend
74.6
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Racine
93.8
South Bend
94.2
🚗 Transportation≈ Equal
Racine
104.4
South Bend
104.2
🏥 Healthcare≈ Equal
Racine
94.4
South Bend
94.3
Utilities2.6%
Racine
90
South Bend
87.7

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in South Bend, IN
$77,400
$2,600 less needed in South Bend

Formula: salary × (92.9 ÷ 96) = salary × 0.9677. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Racine, WI

Median Home Price
$293,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,325
Housing Index
92
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.4×

South Bend, IN

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

Racine has 18.9% lower housing costs compared to South Bend.

Income & Job Market

Racine, WI

Median Household Income
$74,000
Per Capita Income
$42,200
Unemployment Rate
3.6%
Population
78,900
Top Industries
ManufacturingHealthcareRetailTechnologyFinance

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).

Racine, WI
4.7×income-to-rent ratio

79% 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.