Moving from Fargo, ND to South Bend, IN
It is 736 mi between Fargo and South Bend β roughly 13h 47m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 5 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
736 mi Β· 13h 47m by car Β· ND β MN β WI β IL β IN
Distance & route
| Route through | ND β MN β WI β IL β IN |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 94, MN 27, I 90 |
| Major cities en route | Minneapolis, St Paul, Madison, Rockford, Elgin |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fargo | South Bend | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.871 | 92.858 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 77.324 | 87.733 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.654 | 94.221 | 100.0 |
| Services | 81.142 | 74.586 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable β 90.871 vs 92.858 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 2.2% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $314,973 to $192,340 moving to South Bend.
YoY change: Fargo +4.2%, South Bend +4.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Fargo | South Bend |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 41Β°F | 50Β°F |
| January avg low | -2Β°F | 17Β°F |
| July avg high | 82Β°F | 83Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 24.4" | 40.9" |
Annual temperature rises 8.4Β°F moving to South Bend per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: FARGO 3S, ND US, S BEND, IN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fargo | South Bend |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 129,064 | 102,866 |
| Median household income | $66,029 | $52,512 |
| Median age | 32.2 | 33.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29% | 16.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.2 | 2.5 |
South Bend households earn about 2.2% less than Fargo at the median β $66,029 β $52,512 on ACS 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 North Dakota 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.
Winter driving along this route
- I-29 and I-94 can close without notice in winter storms; travel bans are declared more than once most winters.
- I-35 and I-94 across Minnesota can see short closures in winter storms β check MnDOT 511.
- Winter storms can slow I-90 and I-94 across western Wisconsin β check 511wi.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Frequently asked
How far is South Bend, IN from Fargo, ND?
The driving distance is 736 mi and the route typically takes 13h 47m via I 94 and MN 27. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is South Bend more expensive than Fargo?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in South Bend is 2.2% higher than Fargo (92.858 vs 90.871, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Fargo vs South Bend?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $52,512 in South Bend vs $66,029 in Fargo β a 20.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in South Bend compared to Fargo?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $192,340 in South Bend vs $314,973 in Fargo β a 38.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in South Bend compare to Fargo?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,420 in the South Bend MSA vs $48,110 in the Fargo MSA, on total employment of 129,890 and 145,680 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Fargo 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 736 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 Fargo.
City profiles: Fargo, ND Β· South Bend, IN.