Home project costs in South Bend, IN
Every project we cover, priced for the South Bend-Mishawaka metro with local BLS wages and BEA price levels.
South Bend sits 188th of 300 metros on BEA's regional price index, at 92.9 where the US is 100. Goods, the index that drives materials, is 94.2 (217th). The metro has about 131,670 jobs in BLS's May 2025 survey.
Not every job moves the same way here: 15 of the 38 projects price above the national midpoint and 18 below, and 5 are level with it. French drain (+14%), gravel driveway (+8%) and inground pool (+7%) sit highest, and kitchen backsplash (−8%), tile flooring (−7%) and laminate flooring (−6%) sit lowest. Labor-heavy work tracks local wages; materials-heavy work tracks the goods index.
Weather: the nearest NOAA station (South Bend Michiana Rgnl Ap, 3 miles away) shows a January average low of 17°F, a July average high of 83°F and 39 inches of precipitation a year (1991-2020 normals). For concrete pours, the workable months are May through October; for exterior installation, they are March through November.
What local trades earn in South Bend
| Trade | Projects using it | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 25 | $21.07 | $24.46 | $30.16 | $22.66 | 1.08 |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 23 | $23.63 | $29.66 | $33.69 | $29.12 | 1.02 |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 10 | $29.07 | $38.68 | $46.44 | $28.78 | 1.34 |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 7 | $26.07 | $35.67 | $46.56 | $30.67 | 1.16 |
| Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051) | 6 | $23.26 | $28.61 | $31.63 | $27.41 | 1.04 |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 6 | $23.56 | $35.65 | $46.04 | $30.38 | 1.17 |
| Tile and stone setters (47-2044) | 5 | n/a | n/a | n/a | $26.77 | n/a |
| Roofers (47-2181) | 5 | $22.68 | $30.00 | $37.71 | $26.65 | 1.13 |
Concrete & paving in South Bend
The 7 jobs here average +3% versus the US in South Bend, from level (concrete slab) to +8% (gravel driveway).
| Project | Size | South Bend range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete slab cost in South Bend | 400 sq ft | $2,500 – $5,150 | level |
| Concrete driveway cost in South Bend | 600 sq ft | $3,750 – $9,600 | +4% |
| Asphalt driveway cost in South Bend | 600 sq ft | $3,100 – $7,650 | +3% |
| Gravel driveway cost in South Bend | 1,000 sq ft | $2,700 – $11,000 | +8% |
| Paver patio cost in South Bend | 300 sq ft | $3,100 – $5,600 | +3% |
| Concrete patio cost in South Bend | 300 sq ft | $1,250 – $4,100 | +1% |
| Stamped concrete cost in South Bend | 400 sq ft | $3,250 – $8,050 | +1% |
Decks & outdoor in South Bend
The 2 jobs here average −1% versus the US in South Bend, from −2% (wood deck) to −1% (composite deck).
| Project | Size | South Bend range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood deck cost in South Bend | 300 sq ft | $7,400 – $14,900 | −2% |
| Composite deck cost in South Bend | 300 sq ft | $12,000 – $24,000 | −1% |
Building & additions in South Bend
Across these 2 projects, South Bend averages +1% against national midpoints. Home addition is highest at +1% and detached garage lowest at level.
| Project | Size | South Bend range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detached garage cost in South Bend | 576 sq ft | $29,000 – $58,100 | level |
| Home addition cost in South Bend | 300 sq ft | $38,400 – $77,700 | +1% |
Doors & windows in South Bend
The 5 jobs here average −3% versus the US in South Bend, from −4% (front door) to −2% (patio door).
| Project | Size | South Bend range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Garage door cost in South Bend | 1 door | $690 – $3,600 | −3% |
| Storm door cost in South Bend | 1 door | $340 – $920 | −3% |
| Front door cost in South Bend | 1 door | $490 – $2,400 | −4% |
| Window replacement cost in South Bend | 10 windows | $4,400 – $14,500 | −3% |
| Patio door cost in South Bend | 1 door | $580 – $5,900 | −2% |
Fencing in South Bend
The 4 jobs here average −1% versus the US in South Bend, from −3% (vinyl fence) to +1% (chain-link fence).
| Project | Size | South Bend range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood fence cost in South Bend | 150 linear ft | $3,000 – $7,500 | −2% |
| Vinyl fence cost in South Bend | 150 linear ft | $4,350 – $8,850 | −3% |
| Chain-link fence cost in South Bend | 150 linear ft | $1,500 – $6,250 | +1% |
| Aluminum fence cost in South Bend | 150 linear ft | $3,800 – $11,300 | level |
Roofing & exterior in South Bend
The 5 jobs here average +3% versus the US in South Bend, from level (attic insulation) to +6% (metal roof).
| Project | Size | South Bend range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roof replacement cost in South Bend | 2,000 sq ft of roof | $6,500 – $13,000 | +5% |
| Metal roof cost in South Bend | 2,000 sq ft of roof | $11,300 – $34,100 | +6% |
| Gutters cost in South Bend | 160 linear ft | $1,350 – $4,300 | +3% |
| Vinyl siding cost in South Bend | 2,100 sq ft of wall | $8,450 – $25,300 | level |
| Attic insulation cost in South Bend | 1,000 sq ft | $1,000 – $4,000 | level |
Kitchen & bath in South Bend
Across these 5 projects, South Bend averages −3% against national midpoints. Kitchen cabinets is highest at −1% and kitchen backsplash lowest at −8%.
| Project | Size | South Bend range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen cabinets cost in South Bend | 25 linear ft | $4,150 – $14,000 | −1% |
| Shower pan cost in South Bend | 1 pan | $930 – $2,750 | −2% |
| Kitchen remodel cost in South Bend | 120 sq ft | $17,800 – $30,200 | −4% |
| Bathroom remodel cost in South Bend | 45 sq ft | $4,600 – $22,800 | −2% |
| Kitchen backsplash cost in South Bend | 30 sq ft | $270 – $1,400 | −8% |
Landscaping & drainage in South Bend
Across these 5 projects, South Bend averages +6% against national midpoints. French drain is highest at +14% and sod installation lowest at −4%.
| Project | Size | South Bend range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| French drain cost in South Bend | 60 linear ft | $680 – $2,400 | +14% |
| Retaining wall cost in South Bend | 200 sq ft of wall face | $7,650 – $13,900 | +5% |
| Sod installation cost in South Bend | 1,500 sq ft | $1,450 – $3,150 | −4% |
| Sprinkler system cost in South Bend | 4,000 sq ft of lawn | $4,250 – $10,600 | +6% |
| Inground pool cost in South Bend | 450 sq ft | $38,700 – $120,500 | +7% |
Flooring & interior in South Bend
The 3 jobs here average −6% versus the US in South Bend, from −7% (tile flooring) to −4% (hardwood flooring).
| Project | Size | South Bend range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hardwood flooring cost in South Bend | 500 sq ft | $5,300 – $12,000 | −4% |
| Laminate flooring cost in South Bend | 500 sq ft | $1,900 – $6,600 | −6% |
| Tile flooring cost in South Bend | 200 sq ft | $2,200 – $9,300 | −7% |
South Bend against its nearest metros
Taking every project together, South Bend comes out level versus the national midpoint. Of the 6 closest metros, 1 prices higher and 5 lower. Niles is the lowest at −6% (30 miles) and Chicago the highest at +21% (90 miles). These are unweighted averages of the midpoints, a rough guide to overall price level rather than a number for any one job.
| Metro | Distance | Price index | Goods index | All projects vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Bend, INthis page | 92.9 | 94.2 | level | |
| Elkhart, IN | 20 miles | 90.3 | 94.3 | −1% |
| Niles, MI | 30 miles | 92.4 | 93.7 | −6% |
| Kalamazoo, MI | 45 miles | 94.8 | 93.7 | −1% |
| Fort Wayne, IN | 70 miles | 92.6 | 94.3 | −2% |
| Grand Rapids, MI | 85 miles | 95.5 | 93.7 | −4% |
| Chicago, IL | 90 miles | 103.6 | 107.3 | +21% |