City Comparison
Fishers vs South Bend
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Fishers scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Fishers
South Bend
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
South Bend is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
23% lower than in Fishers.
Housing costs are a major driver: Fishers's average rent is
50% higher than South Bend's.
| Metric | Fishers | South Bend | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,650 | $1,100 | +50% |
| Groceries | $420 | $380 | +11% |
| Utilities | $175 | $175 | 0% |
| Transport | $130 | $110 | +18% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $230 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,605 | $1,995 | +31% |
| Cost Index | 108 | 87 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Fishers offers 39% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Fishers delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Fishers is estimated at
$62,000 vs $48,000 in South Bend.
| Metric | Fishers | South Bend |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $78,000 | $56,000 |
| Salary Needed | $62,000 | $48,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 72,222 idx | 64,368 idx |
| Household Income | $115,000 | $54,200 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 2.1°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — South Bend sees 22.7 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Fishers | South Bend |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 53.60°F | 51.50°F |
| Summer High | 83.80°F | 82.90°F |
| Winter Low | 20.50°F | 19.10°F |
| Rainfall | 38.40 in | 36.10 in |
| Snowfall | 19.80 in | 42.50 in |
| Sunny Days | 237 | 240 |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
South Bend has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to Fishers.
Fishers scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Fishers leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Fishers | South Bend |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 27 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 32.0/100 |
| Walkability | 48.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 38.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Fishers is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Fishers is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Fishers has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Fishers | South Bend |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 104,909 | 103,450 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.50% | 0.40% |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 35.4 |
| Unemployment | 3.20% | 4.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Fishers
Advantages
Consistently ranked among the safest cities in Indiana with exceptionally low crime rates per FBI reporting.
Hamilton Southeastern Schools and other local districts are top-rated statewide for academic performance.
Thriving technology and entrepreneurial ecosystem supported by the Indiana IoT Lab and local business incubators.
Extensive parks and recreation infrastructure, including the Nickel Plate Trail and Geist Reservoir access.
Vibrant downtown Nickel Plate District featuring dining, shopping, and regular community events.
Drawbacks
Housing costs and overall cost of living sit noticeably above the Indiana state average.
High degree of car dependency for daily commuting and errands outside of the central district.
Increasing traffic congestion along major thoroughfares during peak morning and evening commute hours.
Property tax rates in Hamilton County reflect high local service funding but add to homeownership costs.
Limited traditional public mass transit options connecting directly to broader regional employment hubs.
South Bend
Advantages
Median home prices in South Bend remain significantly below the national average per recent US Census and Zillow data.
The presence of the University of Notre Dame brings world-class cultural, athletic, and educational events to the local community.
Revitalized downtown public spaces and riverfront paths offer excellent recreational opportunities for residents.
A strategic location provides convenient access to Chicago via highway, rail, and the South Bend International Airport.
Low traffic congestion and manageable commutes compared to larger metropolitan areas.
Drawbacks
Below-average median household incomes compared to national benchmarks.
Property tax rates and localized winter heating utility costs can add financial pressure during colder months.
Public transit walkability is limited outside of the immediate downtown and university cores.
Certain neighborhoods experience above-average property and property-related crime rates.
Heavy winter snowfall and prolonged cloud cover during late fall and winter months.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Fishers
#40Indiana, USA
71.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,650
Avg Salary
$78,000
Cost Index
108
Commute
27 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
48.0/100
Sunny Days
237/yr
Avg Temp
53.60°F
Pop. Growth
1.50%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
88
Business
80
South Bend
#405Indiana, USA
58.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,100
Avg Salary
$56,000
Cost Index
87
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
32.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
240/yr
Avg Temp
51.50°F
Pop. Growth
0.40%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
73
Business
69
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