Moving from Cedar Rapids, IA to South Bend, IN
It is a 319 mi drive, roughly 6h 12m, between Cedar Rapids, IA and South Bend, IN. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
319 mi Β· 6h 12m by car Β· IA β IL β IN
Distance & route
| Route through | IA β IL β IN |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 380, IA 27 |
| Major cities en route | Joliet, Aurora, Naperville, Chicago |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Cedar Rapids | South Bend | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 88.963 | 92.858 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.981 | 87.733 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.73 | 94.221 | 100.0 |
| Services | 71.447 | 74.586 | 100.0 |
Cedar Rapids 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
Homes in South Bend run about 4.4% cheaper β ZHVI $204,112 β $192,340 (2026-03).
YoY change: Cedar Rapids +2.8%, South Bend +4.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Cedar Rapids | South Bend |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 48Β°F | 50Β°F |
| January avg low | 11Β°F | 17Β°F |
| July avg high | 83Β°F | 83Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 35.9" | 40.9" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 48.3Β°F vs 49.8Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CEDAR RAPIDS MUNI AP, IA US, S BEND, IN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Cedar Rapids | South Bend |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,859 | 102,866 |
| Median household income | $67,859 | $52,512 |
| Median age | 36.9 | 33.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.2% | 16.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.32 | 2.5 |
South Bend households earn about 4.4% less than Cedar Rapids at the median β $67,859 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 Iowa 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 Cedar Rapids?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,420 in the South Bend MSA vs $47,670 in the Cedar Rapids MSA, on total employment of 129,890 and 140,020 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is South Bend more expensive than Cedar Rapids?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in South Bend is 4.4% higher than Cedar Rapids (92.858 vs 88.963, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in South Bend compared to Cedar Rapids?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $192,340 in South Bend vs $204,112 in Cedar Rapids β a 5.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Cedar Rapids vs South Bend?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $52,512 in South Bend vs $67,859 in Cedar Rapids β a 22.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Cedar Rapids 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 319 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 Cedar Rapids, IA?
The driving distance is 319 mi and the route typically takes 6h 12m via I 80 and I 380. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Cedar Rapids.
City profiles: Cedar Rapids, IA Β· South Bend, IN.