2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
South Bend, IN vs Lafayette, IN

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Lafayette or is it cheaper to live in South Bend?
- Lafayette is 5.7% more expensive than South Bend.

Which city has more affordable housing, Lafayette or South Bend?
- Lafayette housing costs are 27.2% more expensive than South Bend housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in South Bend or is Health Care more affordable in Lafayette.
- Health related expenses are 1.6% less in Lafayette.
 South Bend, INLafayette, INUnited States
 Overall  Unlock83.5100
 Food & Groceries89.6  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock92.0100
 Housing47.5  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$198,500$338,100
 Utilities90  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock71.8100
 Miscellaneous94.9  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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Reviews for South Bend    25 Reviews

When it comes to standard of living, neighborhoods, safety, schools, wage earners and tax dollar contributing citizens Mishawaka hands down, will always made better  More

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Moving here is much harder than growing up here, I know from many people I've talked to. When you grow up here you learn how to interact with people, everyone will seem  More

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I’ve lived in the city for 4 years now and have honestly had a good experience so far. I live in a quite neighborhood and have had no issues with crime or violence.  More

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Reviews for Lafayette    16 Reviews

Over 12 years ago

I have lived here for 12 years and in a smaller town 20 miles away for over 35 years and like the people. But crime is on the rise, more arrests lately related to people  More

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Over 13 years ago

Lafayette still has a small town atmosphere. It is a wonderful place to raise children. There is a strong sense of community. Unfotunately in recent years Lafayette has  More

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I can say I have lived in Lafayette Indiana for 25 years. I'll say that home is home...but I would honestly say in less your a college student at Purdue, I would never  More

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