Chesterton, IN vs Plainfield, IN

Chesterton, IN and Plainfield, IN have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1% difference in their overall index. Chesterton scores 94 while Plainfield scores 95 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Chesterton is $1,145/month compared to $1,313/month in Plainfield — a 13% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Chesterton has cheaper rent, Plainfield actually has lower median home values ($263,900 vs $280,400).

Median household income in Chesterton is $88,536 compared to $85,074 in Plainfield (+4.1%). Chesterton offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Chesterton spend roughly 15.5% of their income on rent, less than the 18.5% in Plainfield.