South Bend, Indiana, known as "The Bend," is a historic and vibrant community located near Chicago and Indianapolis. With its rich industrial history, strong local economy, and welcoming community, South Bend offers a high quality of life for its residents. The city's blend of historic charm and modern amenities makes living in South Bend an attractive option for families and professionals.
Residents of South Bend enjoy a variety of recreational activities and cultural events. The city's numerous parks, museums, and cultural institutions provide ample opportunities for outdoor activities and enrichment. The Studebaker National Museum and the Morris Performing Arts Center are popular destinations that celebrate the city's cultural richness and historical significance. The annual South Bend International Festival and the South Bend Civic Theatre events showcase the vibrant community spirit...
South Bend's strong economy is supported by a diverse range of industries, including education, healthcare, and manufacturing. The city's strategic location near Chicago and Indianapolis provides residents with easy access to job opportunities and cultural amenities in both metropolitan areas. Major employers in the area include the University of Notre Dame and Memorial Hospital of South Bend.
South Bend places a strong emphasis on community health and wellness, with numerous parks, recreational facilities, and health programs available to residents. The city's commitment to promoting an active and healthy lifestyle contributes to the overall well-being of its community.
Public transportation in South Bend is well-developed, with access to Transpo buses and the South Shore Line commuter train, facilitating easy commutes within the city and to neighboring areas. South Bend's climate features hot summers and cold winters, allowing for a variety of seasonal activities. Overall, South Bend offers a blend of historical significance, economic opportunity, and community spirit, making it a desirable place to live.
Cost Of Living
Everyday cost of living expenses like goods and services, housing, groceries, transportation, health care and utilities are far below the national average.
Housing
Impressive scores in the housing category characterize this area, potentially attributed to the availability of affordable housing, strong appreciation rates and high home values.
Health & Safety
Accessible health facilities like hospitals, doctors offices, clinics and nursing homes as well as good air quality are all factors that have led to a high score in this category.
Commute
Low commute scores could be due to limited access to public transit in this area, as well as longer-than-average work commute times for residents.
Schools
The low schools score might be a result of factors like lower than average education levels, lackluster reading and math scores and the inaccessibility of local elementary and high schools.
Ratings
Through surveys and polls, AreaVibes obtained feedback from local residents in the area, and the results did not indicate a favorable outlook on factors like local amenities and the safety of the area.
South Bend is a mid-sized city located in the state of Indiana. The city has a population of 102,686 inhabitants. In South Bend, only 43% of people over the age of fifteen are married. This city could be a good option for singles ready to mingle. Not a fan of sitting in traffic during your commute to work? South Bend offers shorter work commutes, with an average one-way commute time taking only 20 minutes, far lower than the national average of 26 minutes.
Living in South Bend can be a good experience for anyone moving to the city. Having said that, in the state of Indiana, there are many incredible places to live, so choose wisely! When searching for a new neighborhood, several factors play a vital role in determining its suitability. Safety should be a top priority, ensuring a secure environment with low crime rates. Proximity to your workplace or school helps minimize commuting time and allows for a better work-life balance. Availability of essential amenities such as parks, coffee shops, restaurants, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities contributes to convenience and well-being. Access to reliable public transportation options facilitates easy commuting and connectivity. Additionally, considering the sense of community and the overall atmosphere that resonates with your lifestyle and preferences fosters a harmonious living experience. To help you find the best places to live in and around South Bend, AreaVibes has created a livability score using key metrics like crime, commute, employment and more.
Using data and statistics South Bend has received a livability score of 62 out of 100. This score is ranked in the 50th percentile when compared to all other cities. If we dig a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that South Bend has higher than average scores for the following: housing (A-). There is at least one category that did not score well in South Bend. The following was graded with a discouraging score: amenities (D), crime (F), education (F) and employment (D-).
Striving for a cost-effective lifestyle becomes increasingly essential, especially in light of the ongoing upward trajectory of everyday goods and services. In South Bend, residents enjoy the privilege of a cost of living that is 22.77% below the national average. This favorable positioning extends its influence across a broad spectrum of expenses, encompassing not only goods and services but also housing costs, groceries and healthcare costs. Consequently, this locale emerges as a hub where your financial resources go further, allowing you to maintain an economical and sustainable way of life. This affordability becomes increasingly significant in an era marked by escalating expenses, rendering South Bend an appealing destination for those in pursuit of financial prudence without sacrificing their quality of life.
For home buyers, real estate will be the largest purchase they will ever make and it will also be their most valuable asset. For renters, the monthly rent paid on their South Bend apartments will most likely be their largest expense. Based on tangible metrics like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates, housing in this area has received a score that is well above the average of every other US city. A thriving real estate market can also generate strong local economic activity and job creation.
There are many factors that go into deciding if an area is the right fit for your lifestyle. Certain “must haves” like low crime, great schools and nearby amenities are all at the top of most people's lists. But before even considering if those options are attainable, we'll need to know if the real estate in South Bend is actually affordable. The median home price for South Bend homes is $88,600, which is 30% lower than the Indiana average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in South Bend, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 2.1, which is 16% lower than the Indiana average.
| Statistic | South Bend | Indiana | National |
| Average one way commute | 20min | 23min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 75.0% | 83.0% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 9.8% | 8.9% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 2.7% | 1.1% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 1.4% | 0.5% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 3.0% | 2.1% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 6.6% | 3.5% | 4.6% |
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