Moving from Toledo, OH to South Bend, IN
Moving from Toledo, OH to South Bend, IN covers 154 mi and about 2h 58m by car through 2 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully — the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
154 mi · 2h 58m by car · OH → IN
Distance & route
| Route through | OH → IN |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 90, SR 2 |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Toledo | South Bend | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.455 | 92.858 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 96.285 | 87.733 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.628 | 94.221 | 100.0 |
| Services | 67.317 | 74.586 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in South Bend and Toledo is within ±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) — plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in South Bend is 1.5% above Toledo — $129,627 vs $192,340 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Toledo +5.4%, South Bend +4.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Toledo | South Bend |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51°F | 50°F |
| January avg low | 20°F | 17°F |
| July avg high | 85°F | 83°F |
| Annual snowfall | — | — |
| Annual precipitation | 32.4" | 40.9" |
Annual average temperatures in Toledo (51.4°F) and South Bend (49.8°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: TOLEDO METCALF FLD, OH US, S BEND, IN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Toledo | South Bend |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 268,461 | 102,866 |
| Median household income | $47,532 | $52,512 |
| Median age | 35.7 | 33.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 13.7% | 16.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.27 | 2.5 |
Median household income in South Bend is 1.5% above Toledo ($47,532 → $52,512, 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 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 — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% 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 Toledo?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,420 in the South Bend MSA vs $45,740 in the Toledo MSA, on total employment of 129,890 and 290,070 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Toledo to South Bend?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 154 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is South Bend more expensive than Toledo?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in South Bend is 1.5% higher than Toledo (92.858 vs 91.455, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is South Bend, IN from Toledo, OH?
The driving distance is 154 mi and the route typically takes 2h 58m via I 80 and I 90. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Toledo vs South Bend?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $52,512 in South Bend vs $47,532 in Toledo — a 10.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in South Bend compared to Toledo?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $192,340 in South Bend vs $129,627 in Toledo — a 48.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Toledo.
City profiles: Toledo, OH · South Bend, IN.