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City Report · IN

South Bend

Pop. 103,085·38th most expensive in Indiana·One of the most affordable rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$1,293/mo
Year-over-Year
-0.4%
Month-over-Month
-1.3%
vs US Median
-$669
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
South Bend · $1,293
More affordable than 88% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Rent Reality Score
63/100
Good value
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 7% below what South Bend's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent
$1,293/mo
Expected by trend
$1,386/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where South Bend's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$775
1 BR
$964
2 BR
$1,129
3 BR
$1,393
4 BR+
$1,496
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,129/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,293 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.

Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$15,516/yr
At $1,293/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are softening (down 0.4% YoY), so renters have negotiating leverage.
Based on rent-price momentum (-0.4% YoY, -1.3% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

South Bend, IN is majority owner-occupied, has a large share of families with children, has a median income below the national average, 29.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
103,085
Median income
$55,786
Median age
34.8
Renters
39.8%
Age distribution
25.5%
24.8%
24.2%
15%
Under 1825.5%
18–3424.8%
35–5424.2%
55–6410.6%
65+15%
Gender
47.9%
52.1%
Male47.9%
Female52.1%
Race & ethnicity
53.5%
22.7%
17.9%
White53.5%
Black22.7%
Hispanic17.9%
Asian2.3%
Other3.6%
Education (25+)
12.2%
30.9%
27.5%
29.3%
No HS diploma12.2%
HS diploma30.9%
Some college27.5%
Bachelor's+29.3%
Housing tenure
60.2%
39.8%
Owner60.2%
Renter39.8%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How South Bend, IN has changed in 5 years

Rent
$933 → $1,293
up 38.6%
Income
$46,002 → $55,786
up 21.3%
Population
102,786 → 103,085
up 0.3%
Renter share
41.2% → 39.8%
-1.4 pts
Bachelor's+
29.1% → 29.3%
+0.2 pts
Median age
33.9 → 34.8
+0.9 yrs

Rent in South Bend, IN has climbed 38.6% since 2021, going from about $933 per month to roughly $1,293 today. Household income in the area moved from $46,002 to $55,786 across the same window, up 21.3% versus 2021. Rent outpaced income growth by roughly 17.3 percentage points, which means renters are spending a larger slice of each paycheck on housing than they did in 2021. Reading these numbers side by side helps frame whether current listings in South Bend, IN look reasonable against where the market sat half a decade ago.

Community

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View South Bend rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in South Bend on your salary?

At $1,293/mo, how South Bend rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

South Bend rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in South Bend. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in South Bend

About renting in South Bend, IN

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in South Bend is $1,293/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $775/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,129/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $964/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,393/mo.

At 28% of local median household income ($55,786/yr), South Bend ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 0.4% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is South Bend an affordable city for renters?

South Bend is considered affordable for renters. At $1,293/mo, rent takes approximately 28% of the local median household income ($55,786/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. South Bend falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in South Bend?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $52,000/year (~$25/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,293/mo in South Bend. The local median household income is $55,786/yr, meaning the typical South Bend household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in South Bend?

Rent in South Bend has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.4% change year over year as of August 2026.

Which South Bend neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in South Bend are 46601 ($1,038/mo), 46613 ($1,193/mo), and 46619 ($1,221/mo). Citywide, the median rent in South Bend is $1,293/mo.

How does South Bend rent compare to other cities in Indiana?

South Bend is middle-of-the-pack for Indiana for rent, ranking #38 out of 62 tracked cities at $1,293/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than South Bend?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than South Bend ($1,293/mo): Stevensville ($938/mo), Niles ($1,094/mo), Elkhart ($1,155/mo).

What percentage of South Bend residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 39.8% of South Bend households are renters, while 60.2% are owner-occupied. South Bend leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does South Bend rent compare to the national average?

South Bend's median rent of $1,293/mo is $669 (34%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Indiana, it ranks #38 out of 62 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
28%
AFFORDABLE

At $1,293/mo, rent takes ~28% of South Bend's median household income ($55,786/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

South Bend 28%Benchmark 30%
State income tax3.05%
Run the South Bend affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near South Bend, IN

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