Decatur, IN vs East Chicago, IN

Decatur, IN and East Chicago, IN have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.4% difference in their overall index. Decatur scores 67 while East Chicago scores 68 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 Decatur is $804/month compared to $820/month in East Chicago — a 2% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Decatur has cheaper rent, East Chicago actually has lower median home values ($92,400 vs $132,900).

Median household income in Decatur is $58,867 compared to $41,071 in East Chicago (+43.3%). Decatur offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Decatur spend roughly 16.4% of their income on rent, less than the 24% in East Chicago.