South Bend

Background Image

South Bend, IN

Area Guide

Share Guide

America’s ultimate college town

College Football Walking Biking Affordable Arts

Forever to be known as one of America’s major college towns, South Bend is one of the most vibrant communities in the Midwest. Downtown apartments have become increasingly popular in recent years, and it’s easy to see why—with stellar dining, nightlife, art, and entertainment within walking distance, downtown living is a very attractive option.

Home to several colleges and universities (most famously the University of Notre Dame and an IU campus), South Bend benefits greatly from a strong academic community. Naturally, the world-famous Fighting Irish football team is a big draw for sports fans every autumn. The city is also home to a diverse mix of arts and cultural attractions, including the Morris Performing Arts Center, the South Bend Museum of Art, and numerous live music events throughout the year. South Bend is extremely friendly to walkers, runners, and bicyclists with a growing network of scenic and practical paths covering much of the city.

Rent Trends

As of March 2025, the average apartment rent in South Bend, IN is $1,137 for a studio, $1,178 for one bedroom, $1,315 for two bedrooms, and $1,647 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in South Bend has increased by 6.1% in the past year.

Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$1,178/month
697 Sq Ft
House
$1,602/month
1,149 Sq Ft
See Rental Market Trends in South Bend, IN

Cost of Living

The cost of living in South Bend, IN is 10.0% lower than the national average. Generally, housing in South Bend is 15.5% less expensive than the national average, with rent falling between $1,137 - $1,647. You can expect to pay 0.1% less for groceries, 4.8% less for utilities, and 6.4% less for transportation.

Compare Cities

$

Transportation

48

Car-Dependent

out of 100 WalkScore® Rating

This area is considered a car-dependent area and most errands will require a car.

1

Minimal Transit

out of 100 TransitScore® Rating

You'll likely want a car when living in this area since it has few transit options.

58

Bikeable

out of 100 BikeScore® Rating

While there’s some bike infrastructure in this area, you’ll still need a car for many errands.

Schools

Swanson Traditional School

Public

Grades PK-5

454 Students

7
out of 10

Kennedy Primary Academy

Public

Grades K-5

520 Students

6
out of 10

Hamilton Traditional School

Public

Grades PK-5

397 Students

5
out of 10

Warren Primary Center

Public

Grades PK-5

208 Students

5
out of 10

McKinley Elementary School

Public

Grades K-5

513 Students

4
out of 10

Lasalle Intermediate Academy

Public

Grades 6-8

488 Students

9
out of 10

Clay Intermediate Center

Public

Grades PK-8

571 Students

3
out of 10

Jackson Middle School

Public

Grades 6-8

528 Students

3
out of 10

Navarre Intermediate Center

Public

Grades 6-8

519 Students

3
out of 10

Jefferson Traditional School

Public

Grades 6-8

516 Students

3
out of 10

Adams High School

Public

Grades 9-12

1,976 Students

4
out of 10

Riley High School

Public

Grades 9-12

992 Students

3
out of 10

Washington High School

Public

Grades 9-12

834 Students

2
out of 10

Clay High School

Public

Grades 9-12

628 Students

2
out of 10

Rise Up Academy At Eggleston

Public

Grades 9-12

187 Students

1
out of 10

Points of Interest

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

Search Nearby Rentals

Nearby City Rentals

Nearby Neighborhood Rentals

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 2025.