Cost of Living in Notre Dame, IN

Population 6,754 · Indiana · Data vintage 2023

96
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

With a median age of 20 and an unusually high bachelor's-degree rate of 39%, Notre Dame is shaped heavily by its student population. That also means median household incomes of $19,082 skew low — the count includes students — while working-household figures run considerably higher. The labor market has been unusually tight, with unemployment around 1.3% — below most comparable cities in the state.

Notre Dame is part of the immediate South Bend metro area — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. South Bend's typical home runs $125,000 for context.

Cost Overview

Rent 96

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Notre Dame

Median rent runs $1,268/month, 4% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $19,082/year is 74% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 1.3%, below the national average of 4.8%. Indiana's top state income tax rate is 3.0% and the combined sales tax is 7.0%. The climate averages highs of 58.7°F and lows of 39.9°F, with about 64.5" of annual snowfall. Overall, Notre Dame has a cost of living index of 96 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 4% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Rent
$1,268/mo
4% below avg
Property Tax Rate
0.8%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$731
1 BR
$783
2 BR
$985
3 BR
$1,286
4 BR
$1,456
Owner-occupied 3.8%
Renter-occupied 96.2%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,268
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,882/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
13.2 min
51% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
24.3%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
10.1%
Carpooled
1.6%
Public transit
1.0%
Walked
58.0%
Bicycle
4.5%
Work from home
24.3%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax (flat) 3.0%
Total Sales Tax 7.0%
State rate 7.0%
Avg local rate 0.0%
Property Tax 0.8%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$19,082
74% below avg
Per Capita Income
$7,117
Unemployment Rate
1.3%
73% below avg
Poverty Rate
50.2%
Labor Force Participation
48.2%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 39.0%
Graduate degree 41.2%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 20.2
Male median age 20.3
Female median age 20.1

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
58.7°F
Avg Low
39.9°F
Annual Precip
39.2"
Annual Snowfall
64.5"
10° 30° 50° 70° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 313546597079838174624836
Low °F 171927374858626153423223
Precip" 2.662.312.353.494.204.043.784.013.493.722.782.40
Snow" 21.616.16.81.00.00.00.00.00.00.25.113.7

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 51 — Moderate
47.9%
Good air days/yr
223
Max AQI recorded
239
PM2.5 days
126
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Notre Dame, IN?

Notre Dame has a cost index of 96 (100 = national average). It is 4% below the national average.

What is average rent in Notre Dame, IN?

The median gross rent in Notre Dame is $1,268 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the median income in Notre Dame?

The median household income in Notre Dame is $19,082 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Notre Dame, IN?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Notre Dame is 7.0%. The Indiana state income tax top rate is 3.0%.

Is Notre Dame, IN affordable?

Notre Dame is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 96 (100 = US average).

What is the weather like in Notre Dame?

Notre Dame has average high temperatures of 58.7°F and average lows of 39.9°F. Annual precipitation is 39.2". Average annual snowfall is 64.5". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.