Real Estate Investing in South Bend, Indiana (46614)

Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.

Saint Joseph County • Population: 29,339 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 46614 (South Bend, IN)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GOOD FIT
Grade B (81/100)

Solid choice — values are growing steadily and the market is stable enough to buy with confidence.

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (47/100)

A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.

⚠️ Risks to Know
CLEAN

No major risk flags on the data we track.

What’s happening in South Bend, IN (46614)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

3.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $247,627
Avg Monthly Rent $1,119
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $65,395
% Renters 23.1%

Market Analysis: 46614 South Bend

Put differently, ZIP 46614 has challenges — vacancy pressure, softer price growth, and tenant stability concerns sit alongside the $248K median. It rewards specialists, not generalists.

The 46614 ZIP can work — but only with a tight operating hand. Remote landlords and passive investors tend to struggle here more than the underwriting suggests.

Nearby ZIPs in South Bend have seen price recovery that 46614 has not matched. Saint Joseph County data supports the view that the spread is structural rather than temporary.

The demographic picture in 46614 includes headwinds that any investor should price in. Income distribution skews lower than South Bend averages, and tenant stability requires active management.

Experienced landlords with local relationships tend to find 46614 workable. Turnkey investors from out of state usually find the numbers do not hold up in practice.

Explore the Data — Click a Tab Below
🏦 Current 30-yr Fixed Mortgage Rate: 6.76% as of Sep 10 Source: Freddie Mac PMMS

Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in South Bend:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 76/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
25/25
Stability
13/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 3.8× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+9.9%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,119/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
BALANCED
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
Bottom Line: Mixed signals in this market. Research specific properties carefully and be prepared to negotiate.
🏠

Property Strategy for 46614

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
1BR
7.4% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+9.1% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
3BR
$73,708/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
1BR $92,832 $950 7.4% +5.3% $92,832
2BR $158,144 $1,110 5.1% +9.1% $79,072
3BR $221,125 $1,350 4.4% +8.8% $73,708
4BR $314,665 $1,470 3.4% +8.2% $78,666
5BR $427,065 +7.9% $85,413

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$260K$225K$190K$155K$120K$85KAug 2007Feb 2017Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$1,486$1,401$1,315$1,230$1,144$1,059Apr 2024Jun 2025Jul 2026

📊 How Does 46614 Compare?

Metric 46614 South Bend Indiana
Home Value $247,627 $186,529 $248,442
5-Year CAGR 7.8% 8.7% 7.7%
Avg Rent $1,119 $1,233 -
Cap Rate 3.5% 5.2% -
💡 Why Invest in 46614? Click to expand

With a 3/5 investability rating, this ZIP shows solid fundamentals for buy-and-hold investors.

📊 See where this ZIP ranks in our Best-of lists →
A great house in the wrong ZIP is still a bad deal — screen every market by cash flow & cap rate.
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 46614 (South Bend, IN). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.5%
Low
5yr Growth
+7.8%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $247,627
Monthly Rent $1,119
Price-to-Rent 18.4:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 5.4%
Cap Rate 3.5%
5-Year IRR 11.3%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +9.9% ▲
3-Year CAGR +6.5% ▲
5-Year CAGR +7.8% ▲
10-Year CAGR +8.2% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year -22.0% ▼
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.5%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.5%). Financing reduces your cash-on-cash return below the cap rate. Markets like this may still make sense as IRR plays — factoring in appreciation, depreciation, and a future refinance when rates drop.

Run an IRR Analysis →

⚠️ Risk Signals

Composite view of factors that can impact a ZIP's stability and your downside risk.

Vacancy
4.1%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+7.8%
Growing
Eviction process: Moderate Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 46614

Population: 29,339

💰 Median Household Income
$65,395
This area
$65,395
State
$69,164
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
23.1%
This area
23.1%
State
22.2%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.0%
This area
2.0%
State
-23.5%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
32.8%
This area
32.8%
State
-6.4%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
39.9 years
This area
39.9 years
State
-0.2 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
4.1%
This area
4.1%
State
10.7%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 74.8%
Black/African American 13.5%
Other/Mixed 10.0%
Hispanic/Latino 6.2%
Asian 1.7%
👶 Under 18
23.3%
This area
23.3%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
20.9%
This area
20.9%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
7.0%
This area
7.0%
USA
11.5%

Crime & Safety

🚧

Crime & Safety Data Coming Soon

We're integrating comprehensive crime statistics including violent crime rates, property crime, and safety scores to help you make informed investment decisions.

Expected: Q1 2025

🎓 Schools in 46614

A Avg School Grade
4 Schools
10.2:1 Avg Class Size
$19,238 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Jackson Middle School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
440 Students
👨‍🏫
10.7:1 Class Size
💰
$19,238 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Marshall Traditional School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
348 Students
👨‍🏫
6.8:1 Class Size
💰
$19,238 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Monroe Elementary School

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
450 Students
👨‍🏫
12.2:1 Class Size
💰
$19,238 Per Student
B Good

Premier Arts Academy

📚 K – 08 School Charter
👥
191 Students
👨‍🏫
11.2:1 Class Size
About Repit School Scores

Traditional school ratings rely heavily on standardized test scores, which often reflect family income more than school quality. Repit takes a different approach.

We evaluate schools based on factors that research shows actually impact educational outcomes:

  • Class Size — Smaller classes mean more individual attention
  • School Funding — Resources available for programs, staff, and facilities
  • Community Factors — Neighborhood characteristics that influence student success
  • School Environment — Size, type, and structure

Scores are updated annually using federal education data.

🎓 Nearby Colleges & Universities

7 Nearby 1,262 Off-Campus Students
D
John Patrick University of Health and Applied Sciences
406 students · 5.1 mi
C+
Indiana University-South Bend
4,446 students · 5.2 mi
C
Holy Cross College
547 students · 6.7 mi
C
Bethel University
1,222 students · 6.8 mi
A
University of Notre Dame
13,174 students · 7.2 mi
C+
Saint Mary's College
1,518 students · 7.3 mi
D
Ross Medical Education Center-Granger
115 students · 9.6 mi

Investor Insight: With 1,262 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are home prices like in South Bend, IN?

Typical homes in South Bend, IN go for around $248K. The 5-year CAGR of 0.0% even-keeled price movement.

What is the smart move for investors in South Bend, IN?

The best-fit strategy in South Bend, IN is careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. That approach the rent and price profile of the market.

How landlord-friendly is South Bend, IN?

South Bend, IN falls under IN landlord-tenant law, which is landlord-friendly. That backdrop makes day-to-day property management reasonable.

How viable is house hacking in South Bend, IN?

House hacking works a challenging in South Bend, IN. Rents of $1,119/mo against $248K acquisition make the strategy solid for owner-occupants.

What is the typical renter like in South Bend, IN?

The tenant pool in South Bend, IN is solid, supported by local employment and population fundamentals. Rents of $1,119/mo are well-absorbed by the market.

You know 46614 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 46614 ranks in South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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