1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in South Bend, IN
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in South Bend, Indiana as of July 2026. That's +26% lower than the citywide median of $1,310 and +31% below the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395.
Income needed for a 1-bedroom in South Bend
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income guideline (the threshold above which households are considered rent-burdened), here's what you need to earn to comfortably afford a 1-bedroom at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in South Bend
Compare South Bend's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a 1-bedroom in Indiana
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Frankfort | $604 |
| 2 | La Porte | $689 |
| 3 | Richmond | $720 |
| 4 | New Castle | $730 |
| 5 | Angola | $740 |
| 6 | Marion | $740 |
| 7 | Crawfordsville | $754 |
| 8 | East Chicago | $770 |
| 9 | Logansport | $780 |
| 10 | Kokomo | $790 |
| 11 | Muncie | $800 |
| 12 | Fortville | $801 |
| 13 | Terre Haute | $810 |
| 14 | Delphi | $820 |
| 15 | Evansville | $835 |
Most expensive cities for a 1-bedroom in Indiana
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Zionsville | $1,600 |
| 2 | Whitestown | $1,530 |
| 3 | Carmel | $1,527 |
| 4 | McCordsville | $1,390 |
| 5 | Lawrence | $1,385 |
| 6 | Avon | $1,370 |
| 7 | Westfield | $1,350 |
| 8 | Fishers | $1,343 |
| 9 | Granger | $1,310 |
| 10 | Brownsburg | $1,290 |
| 11 | Noblesville | $1,210 |
| 12 | Sellersburg | $1,200 |
| 13 | Munster | $1,190 |
| 14 | Merrillville | $1,190 |
| 15 | Plainfield | $1,180 |
Nearby cities — 1-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 1-bedroom rents than South Bend.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs South Bend |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mishawaka, IN | 8.7 mi | $925 | $-39 (-4%) |
| Niles, MI | 10.4 mi | $870 | $-94 (-10%) |
| Granger, IN | 10.4 mi | $1,310 | +$346 (+36%) |
| Elkhart, IN | 21.3 mi | $870 | $-94 (-10%) |
| Goshen, IN | 31.1 mi | $905 | $-59 (-6%) |
| La Porte, IN | 31.8 mi | $689 | $-275 (-29%) |
| Michigan City, IN | 41.5 mi | $840 | $-124 (-13%) |
| Warsaw, IN | 42.7 mi | $860 | $-104 (-11%) |
| Valparaiso, IN | 57.4 mi | $1,065 | +$101 (+10%) |
| Portage, MI | 58.7 mi | $1,010 | +$46 (+5%) |
| Kalamazoo, MI | 60.9 mi | $964 | — |
| Portage, IN | 63.3 mi | $1,000 | +$36 (+4%) |
1-Bedroom rent in South Bend — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in South Bend?
As of July 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in South Bend, Indiana is $964 per month. This is +26% below the citywide median of $1,310.
What income do you need to afford a 1-bedroom in South Bend?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $38,560 ($3,213/month gross), which works out to roughly $18.54/hour at a full-time job.
Is South Bend expensive for a 1-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
South Bend's 1-bedroom median of $964 is +31% below the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 18th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does South Bend rank for 1-bedroom rent in Indiana?
Among the 65 cities in Indiana with 1-bedroom data, South Bend ranks #25 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near South Bend?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 1-bedroom rents include Mishawaka ($925), Niles ($870), Elkhart ($870).