Moving from Omaha, NE to South Bend, IN
Relocating 548 mi from Omaha to South Bend is a 10h 21m drive through 4 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item β rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
548 mi Β· 10h 21m by car Β· NE β IA β IL β IN
Distance & route
| Route through | NE β IA β IL β IN |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, SR 2, I 280 |
| Major cities en route | Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Aurora, Joliet, Naperville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Omaha | South Bend | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.911 | 92.858 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 76.378 | 87.733 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.063 | 94.221 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.404 | 74.586 | 100.0 |
Omaha 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 drops from $294,189 in Omaha to $192,340 in South Bend, a 1.0% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Omaha +1.2%, South Bend +4.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Omaha | South Bend |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51Β°F | 50Β°F |
| January avg low | 15Β°F | 17Β°F |
| July avg high | 85Β°F | 83Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | β | 40.9" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 51.3Β°F vs 49.8Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: OMAHA #1, NE US, S BEND, IN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Omaha | South Bend |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 488,197 | 102,866 |
| Median household income | $72,708 | $52,512 |
| Median age | 35.3 | 33.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.6% | 16.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.44 | 2.5 |
Expect median household income to fall 1.0% β $72,708 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 Nebraska 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 the job market in South Bend compare to Omaha?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,420 in the South Bend MSA vs $47,580 in the Omaha MSA, on total employment of 129,890 and 483,970 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in South Bend compared to Omaha?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $192,340 in South Bend vs $294,189 in Omaha β a 34.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Omaha 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 548 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is South Bend, IN from Omaha, NE?
The driving distance is 548 mi and the route typically takes 10h 21m via I 80 and SR 2. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is South Bend more expensive than Omaha?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in South Bend is 1.0% higher than Omaha (92.858 vs 91.911, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Omaha vs South Bend?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $52,512 in South Bend vs $72,708 in Omaha β a 27.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Omaha.
City profiles: Omaha, NE Β· South Bend, IN.