Median Age
34 Years
Largest Age Group
20-29 Years
Approximately 16% of Residents
Under 20
28%
Over 65
15%
South Bend
South Bend, IN Area Guide
Avg Rent
$1,238
Population
113,090
Renter Mix
46% Rent
America’s ultimate college town
College
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Football
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Walking
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Biking
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Affordable
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Arts
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Living in South Bend, Indiana combines small-city convenience with Midwestern hospitality. Located along the St. Joseph River, this historic city of 103,000 residents seamlessly integrates its industrial heritage with contemporary development. The University of Notre Dame shapes the community's character, bringing Division I sports and cultural events to the area. The city features distinct neighborhoods like River Park, known for its tree-lined streets and local shops, and the walkable Eddy Street Commons district.
The rental market in South Bend offers competitive prices compared to other Midwestern cities, with current average rents ranging from $1,136 for studios to $1,647 for three-bedroom units. According to recent data, rental prices have seen moderate increases, with one-bedroom apartments showing a 5.9% year-over-year rise. Housing options include converted historic buildings downtown and contemporary apartments near Notre Dame's campus. Outdoor enthusiasts can explore Rum Village Park's hiking trails and nature center, while the Morris Performing Arts Center hosts Broadway shows and concerts throughout the year. The East Race Waterway, North America's first artificial whitewater course, remains a popular downtown attraction for kayakers and rafters.
Explore the City
Downtown South Bend is always full of action.
Notre Dame is one of the pillars of South Bend.
There are plenty of green spaces to enjoy in South Bend with the campus so close.
Demographics
Median Household Income
$48,642
Average: $67,211
Education
26,095
Residents Have a Degree
Job Market
52,831
Workers Employed
Age Distribution
Get a sense of this area's population profile.
Housing Distribution
South Bend has more homeowners than renters.
Renters
46%
Non-Renters
54%
Education Distribution
Review this city's overall education levels.
Bachelor's or Higher
18%
Other Education
82%
Rent Trends
As of May 2026, the average apartment rent in South Bend, IN is $1,111 for a studio, $1,238 for one bedroom, $1,376 for two bedrooms, and $1,481 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in South Bend has increased by 4.4% in the past year.
Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$1,238/month
707 Sq Ft
House
$1,532/month
1,229 Sq Ft
Cost of Living
The cost of living in South Bend, IN is 8.7% lower than the national average. Generally, housing in South Bend is 22.8% less expensive than the national average, with rent falling between $1,111 - $1,481. You can expect to pay 0.9% more for groceries, 5.3% less for utilities, and 6.4% less for transportation.
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Getting Around
Explore how walkable, bikeable, drivable, and transit-friendly South Bend, IN is for everyday living.
Fairly Walkable
Walkability
50
/ 100
Limited Public Transit
Transit
30
/ 100
Moderately Drivable
Drivability
60
/ 100
Moderately Bikeable
Bikeability
60
/ 100
Scores provided by
Schools
Public
Grades PK-5
454 Students
Public
Grades K-5
520 Students
Public
Grades PK-5
397 Students
Public
Grades PK-5
383 Students
Public
Grades PK-5
208 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
488 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
528 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
519 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
516 Students
Public
Grades PK-8
571 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
1,976 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
992 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
834 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
628 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
180 Students
School data provided by
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Data provided by
GreatSchools.org
© 2026. All rights reserved.
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Data provided by
GreatSchools.org
© 2026. All rights reserved.
Points of Interest
Shopping Centers
Parks and Recreation
- HealthWorks! Kids' Museum
- Rum Village Nature Center
- Potawatomi Zoo
- St. Patrick's County Park
- Hannah Lindahl Children's Museum
Airports
- South Bend International
Top Apartments in South Bend
Houses for Rent in South Bend
Property Management Companies in South Bend, IN
Edward Rose & Sons
-
136
Communities
-
69,964
Units
-
84
Cities
5 Communities in South Bend
Flaherty & Collins, Inc
-
57
Communities
-
13,765
Units
-
40
Cities
4 Communities in South Bend
Gene B. Glick Company
-
39
Communities
-
9,570
Units
-
22
Cities
3 Communities in South Bend
Strategic Management Solution, LLC
-
12
Communities
-
2,024
Units
-
10
Cities
3 Communities in South Bend
LV Property Management
-
18
Communities
-
3,237
Units
-
8
Cities
3 Communities in South Bend
Monarch Investment and Management Group
-
321
Communities
-
78,198
Units
-
146
Cities
2 Communities in South Bend
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Methodology
† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.
Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.
Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in February 2026.
Demographic information comes from Neustar and combines detailed address data with U.S. Census and American Community Survey statistics to produce reliable local estimates.