Little Rock vs South Bend — side-by-side
Cost of living: Little Rock vs South Bend (2026)
A $60,000 salary in Little Rock buys roughly what $60,000 does in South Bend (COL-adjusted). Your real trade-offs are taxes, rent, and day-to-day prices — we break them down and personalize below.
Your move simulator
Tell us about your household — we calculate your real annual savings.
Estimated annual swing
−$1,261/yr
Favoring South Bend for this income & household (illustrative).
With an extra $105/mo in South Bend, you could max a Roth IRA contribution faster and still grow your savings buffer.
Studio rent/mo
1BR rent/mo
2BR rent/mo
Median home price
Groceries index (100 = US avg)
Budget meal (1 person)
Mid-range dinner (2)
Monthly transit pass/mo
Gas price/gal
Car insurance/mo
Monthly utilities bundle/mo
Internet/mo
Median household income/yr
State income tax%
Sales tax (combined)%
Movie ticket
Gym membership/mo
Beer at restaurant
Overall COL index (100 = US avg)
Walk score / 100
| Category | Little Rock Arkansas | South Bend Indiana | Who wins | Your impact at $60K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $900 | $850Better | South wins −$50/mo | $600/yr saves in South |
| 1BR rent/mo | $1,100 | $1,050Better | South wins −$50/mo | $600/yr saves in South |
| 2BR rent/mo | $1,450 | $1,400Better | South wins −$50/mo | $600/yr saves in South |
| Median home price | $215K | $195KBetter | South wins −$20K | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 93Better | 93 | — | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $11Better | $11 | — | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $48 | $46Better | South wins −$2/mo | — |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $40Better | $42 | Little wins +$2/mo | — |
| Gas price/gal | $2.98Better | $3.05 | Little wins +$0.07 | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $152 | $140Better | South wins −$12/mo | — |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $168 | $155Better | South wins −$13/mo | — |
| Internet/mo | $58Better | $58 | — | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $50KBetter | $47K | Little wins −$3K more/yr | — |
| State income tax% | 4.4% | 3.2%Wins | South wins -1.2 pp | $720/yr saves in South |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 9.3% | 7.0%Wins | South wins -2.3 pp | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | $13.00Better | $13.00 | — | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $32 | $30Better | South wins −$2/mo | — |
| Beer at restaurant | $5.00 | $4.50Better | South wins −$0.50 | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 82Better | 82 | — | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 26 | 32Wins | South wins +6 more/yr | — |
Complete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
Tax-smart rewards
Maximize everyday spend in your new city
Little Rock fits your move math — cash-back cards stack on groceries, gas, and dining you're already doing.
Home + auto bundle
New state — new insurance rates
Bundling often saves hundreds/yr. Compare before you sign a lease in Little Rock.
High-yield savings
Grow your move fund while you shop for homes
Don't let relocation cash sit at 0% — put it to work until closing day.
More ways to compare this move
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Open the full interactive tool to add up to 5 cities, drop in your salary, and see rent burden.
Open full interactive toolComplete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
If cash is tight
Knock down high-interest debt first
A move has upfront costs — a balance transfer or personal loan can lower APR while you settle in.
If you're saving big
Invest the surplus on autopilot
Brokerages and robo-advisors help you dollar-cost average into the market with your new slack.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Little Rock vs South Bend?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Little Rock is $1,100/month and in South Bend is $1,050/month. Little Rock is more expensive by 5%.
How much do I need to earn in South Bend to match a $75,000 salary in Little Rock?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $75,000/year in South Bend to match a $75,000 salary in Little Rock. This estimate is based on overall cost of living indices and does not account for individual spending patterns.
Which city has lower taxes — Little Rock or South Bend?
South Bend has the lower state income tax rate at 3.2% vs 4.4%. The difference is 1.2 percentage points. Note that sales tax and local taxes also vary — see the full breakdown in the table above.
Is it worth moving from Little Rock to South Bend?
It depends on your priorities. Both cities have similar overall costs. Use the comparison table above to evaluate rent, groceries, transportation, and income potential side by side based on your specific budget.
Data sourced from Zillow, BLS, Numbeo, Tax Foundation, and US Census ACS · Updated Q1 2026 · For general guidance only
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Salary equivalent: Little Rock ↔ South Bend
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