Real Estate Investing in South Bend, Indiana (46619)

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

Saint Joseph County • Population: 21,179 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 46619 (South Bend, IN)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GOOD FIT
Grade B (82/100)

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

📈 For Investors
GOOD
4.0 / 5 (71/100)

Rare combination of both appreciation and cash flow. These markets don't last long — worth serious consideration.

⚠️ Risks to Know
1 flag
  • Elevated vacancy: 11.0% vacancy may signal weakening demand.

What’s happening in South Bend, IN (46619)?

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4.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

4.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

5.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $142,085
Avg Monthly Rent $1,221
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $44,756
% Renters 25.9%

Market Analysis: 46619 South Bend

ZIP 46619 inside Saint Joseph County looks affordable on the surface — median value of $142K — but the discount exists for reasons that a careful buyer should understand before committing.

The investment case in 46619 is significant only for operators who understand what they are buying. A $142K median suggests accessibility, but management intensity, vacancy drift, and capex surprises are real.

ZIP 46619's metrics run below Saint Joseph County's averages on price growth and tenant stability. Investors who ignore that regional gap tend to relearn it the hard way.

The 46619 ZIP's population of 21,179 has faced economic pressure over the last decade. That pressure shows up in rent delinquency patterns that sits at the need for careful underwriting.

Strategically, 46619 can be a high-return sleeve of a diversified portfolio — but it should not be the whole portfolio, and it should not be someone's first deal.

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+ Great
Buy Confidence Score: 81/100
Affordability
20/25
Appreciation
25/25
Stability
13/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 3.2× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+14.5%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,221/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
BALANCED
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
Bottom Line: This area shows favorable conditions for homebuyers. Solid fundamentals with reasonable affordability.
🏠

Property Strategy for 46619

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
9.3% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+13.9% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
5BR
$23,859/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $92,474 $1,190 9.3% +13.9% $46,237
3BR $162,434 $1,440 6.4% +10.6% $54,145
4BR $140,863 $1,580 8.1% +10.9% $35,216
5BR $119,296 +11.5% $23,859

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$151K$126K$102K$77K$53K$28KAug 2007Feb 2017Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$1,296$1,275$1,254$1,234$1,213$1,192Sep 2025Mar 2026Jul 2026

📊 How Does 46619 Compare?

Metric 46619 South Bend Indiana
Home Value $142,085 $186,529 $248,442
5-Year CAGR 10.0% 8.7% 7.7%
Avg Rent $1,221 $1,233 -
Cap Rate 6.7% 5.2% -
💡 Why Invest in 46619? Click to expand

Our analysis gives this area a 4/5 investability rating, placing it in the top tier for rental property potential.

📊 See where this ZIP ranks in our Best-of lists →
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 46619 (South Bend, IN). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Excellent
Cap Rate
6.7%
Good
5yr Growth
+10.0%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $142,085
Monthly Rent $1,221
Price-to-Rent 9.7:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 10.3%
Cap Rate 6.7%
5-Year IRR 16.7%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +14.5% ▲
3-Year CAGR +8.8% ▲
5-Year CAGR +10.0% ▲
10-Year CAGR +11.9% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Neutral Leverage Cap Rate: 6.7%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage is roughly neutral here.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) is close to the estimated cap rate (6.7%). Financing this market at current rates produces a cash-on-cash return near the cap rate. Appreciation and tax benefits may still support the investment.

⚠️ Risk Signals

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

Vacancy
11.0%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+10.0%
Growing
Eviction process: Moderate Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 46619

Population: 21,179

💰 Median Household Income
$44,756
This area
$44,756
State
$69,164
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
25.9%
This area
25.9%
State
22.2%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
4.7%
This area
4.7%
State
-23.5%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
13.2%
This area
13.2%
State
-6.4%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
36.8 years
This area
36.8 years
State
-0.2 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
11.0%
This area
11.0%
State
10.7%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 50.5%
Other/Mixed 28.8%
Hispanic/Latino 25.3%
Black/African American 20.4%
Asian 0.3%
👶 Under 18
28.7%
This area
28.7%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
14.7%
This area
14.7%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
19.0%
This area
19.0%
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 46619

A+ Avg School Grade
6 Schools
7.3:1 Avg Class Size
$19,238 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Harrison Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
601 Students
👨‍🏫
7.8:1 Class Size
💰
$19,238 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Navarre Middle School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
400 Students
👨‍🏫
6.5:1 Class Size
💰
$19,238 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Wilson Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
368 Students
👨‍🏫
8.6:1 Class Size
💰
$19,238 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Washington High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
812 Students
👨‍🏫
11.6:1 Class Size
💰
$19,238 Per Student
A Very Good

Warren Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
171 Students
👨‍🏫
4.8:1 Class Size
💰
$19,238 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Lafayette Early Childhood Center

📚 Grade PK Elementary
👥
5 Students
👨‍🏫
4.5:1 Class Size
💰
$19,238 Per Student
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 · 5.4 mi
C
Holy Cross College
547 students · 5.8 mi
C+
Saint Mary's College
1,518 students · 5.9 mi
A
University of Notre Dame
13,174 students · 6.6 mi
C+
Indiana University-South Bend
4,446 students · 6.8 mi
C
Bethel University
1,222 students · 8.3 mi
D
Ross Medical Education Center-Granger
115 students · 10.1 mi

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How much should I expect to pay for a home in South Bend, IN?

Median home price in South Bend, IN is near $142K, with a 5-year CAGR of 0.0%. Prices have been stable and supportive of buy-and-hold strategies.

Is South Bend, IN a smart market for rental property?

Investors tracking South Bend, IN will find a 4.0/5 rating supported by $142K median home values and $1,221/mo rents. That profile suits long-term holders targeting consistent returns.

What is the renter demographic in South Bend, IN?

Expect a solid tenant pool in South Bend, IN. The rental market absorbs $1,221/mo rents without meaningful friction.

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 much is rent in South Bend, IN?

The typical rental in South Bend, IN commands about $1,221/mo monthly. That rent profile stable cash flow against the $142K purchase basis.

You know 46619 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 46619 ranks in South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI

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