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

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Normal or is it cheaper to live in South Bend?
- Normal is 3.9% more expensive than South Bend.

Which city has more affordable housing, Normal or South Bend?
- Normal housing costs are 27.4% more expensive than South Bend housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in South Bend or is Health Care more affordable in Normal.
- Health related expenses are 16.6% more in Normal.
 South Bend, INNormal, ILUnited States
 Overall  Unlock82.1100
 Food & Groceries89.6  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock109.0100
 Housing47.5  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$209,800$338,100
 Utilities90  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock69.8100
 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 Normal    5 Reviews

While not a perfect town by any stretch of the imagination, I have lived in Normal my entire life and I have to say that there are FAR worse places one could live. The  More

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Over 16 years ago

I would like to know more about the quality of education at Illinois State  More

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With relatively low crime, good schools and excellent access to higher education, Normal is a great place to raise a family. The city is trying to update its city center  More

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