Moving from Minneapolis, MN to South Bend, IN
The drive from Minneapolis, MN to South Bend, IN runs 501 mi β about 9h 31m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
501 mi Β· 9h 31m by car Β· MN β WI β IL β IN
Distance & route
| Route through | MN β WI β IL β IN |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 94, MN 55, I 90 |
| Major cities en route | St Paul, Madison, Rockford, Elgin, Aurora |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Minneapolis | South Bend | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 104.822 | 92.858 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 93.493 | 87.733 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.065 | 94.221 | 100.0 |
| Services | 111.838 | 74.586 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in South Bend are 11.4% below Minneapolis β a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: South Bend typical home at $192,340 is 11.4% under Minneapolis at $330,882 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Minneapolis +1.4%, South Bend +4.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Minneapolis | South Bend |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 46Β°F | 50Β°F |
| January avg low | 8Β°F | 17Β°F |
| July avg high | 83Β°F | 83Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 34.4" | 40.9" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 45.8Β°F vs 49.8Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LOWER ST ANTHONY FALLS, MN US, S BEND, IN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Minneapolis | South Bend |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 426,845 | 102,866 |
| Median household income | $80,269 | $52,512 |
| Median age | 33 | 33.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 32.7% | 16.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.26 | 2.5 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 11.4% between Minneapolis and South Bend (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 Minnesota 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-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 Minneapolis, MN?
The driving distance is 501 mi and the route typically takes 9h 31m via I 94 and MN 55. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in South Bend compared to Minneapolis?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $192,340 in South Bend vs $330,882 in Minneapolis β a 41.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is South Bend more expensive than Minneapolis?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in South Bend is 11.4% lower than Minneapolis (92.858 vs 104.822, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Minneapolis vs South Bend?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $52,512 in South Bend vs $80,269 in Minneapolis β a 34.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Minneapolis 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 501 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in South Bend compare to Minneapolis?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,420 in the South Bend MSA vs $54,850 in the Minneapolis MSA, on total employment of 129,890 and 1,911,030 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Minneapolis.
City profiles: Minneapolis, MN Β· South Bend, IN.