Moving from Cleveland, OH to South Bend, IN
Relocating between Cleveland, OH and South Bend, IN is a 256 mi drive β 4h 48m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
256 mi Β· 4h 48m by car Β· OH β IN
Distance & route
| Route through | OH β IN |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, I 80, SR 933 |
| Major cities en route | Akron, Toledo |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Cleveland | South Bend | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 93.923 | 92.858 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 95.967 | 87.733 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.628 | 94.221 | 100.0 |
| Services | 79.434 | 74.586 | 100.0 |
Cleveland and South Bend sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $115,537 in Cleveland to $192,340 in South Bend, a 1.1% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Cleveland -1.9%, South Bend +4.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Cleveland | South Bend |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 52Β°F | 50Β°F |
| January avg low | 24Β°F | 17Β°F |
| July avg high | 81Β°F | 83Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 33.3" | 40.9" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 52.3Β°F vs 49.8Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CLEVELAND BURKE AP, OH US, S BEND, IN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Cleveland | South Bend |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 367,523 | 102,866 |
| Median household income | $39,187 | $52,512 |
| Median age | 36.3 | 33.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.5% | 16.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.18 | 2.5 |
Expect median household income to rise 1.1% β $39,187 β $52,512 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in South Bend MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 14,450 | $40,720 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 12,860 | $28,820 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 12,250 | $38,580 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 11,870 | $34,500 |
| Production Occupations | 11,260 | $39,930 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Ohio and Indiana
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Indiana's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Cleveland vs South Bend?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $52,512 in South Bend vs $39,187 in Cleveland β a 34.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in South Bend compared to Cleveland?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $192,340 in South Bend vs $115,537 in Cleveland β a 66.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is South Bend, IN from Cleveland, OH?
The driving distance is 256 mi and the route typically takes 4h 48m via I 90 and I 80. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is South Bend more expensive than Cleveland?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in South Bend is 1.1% lower than Cleveland (92.858 vs 93.923, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Cleveland to South Bend?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 256 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Cleveland.
City profiles: Cleveland, OH Β· South Bend, IN.