Decatur, IN vs Paoli, IN

Decatur, IN and Paoli, IN have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.9% difference in their overall index. Decatur scores 67 while Paoli scores 69 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 $827/month in Paoli — a 3% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Decatur is more affordable at $132,900 median vs $134,300.

Median household income in Decatur is $58,867 compared to $45,926 in Paoli (+28.2%). 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 21.6% in Paoli.