East Chicago, IN vs Gary, IN

East Chicago is moderately more affordable than Gary, with a 5.7% lower cost of living index. East Chicago scores 68 compared to 72 for Gary, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Gary can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in East Chicago is $820/month compared to $975/month in Gary — a 16% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while East Chicago has cheaper rent, Gary actually has lower median home values ($85,300 vs $92,400).

Median household income in East Chicago is $41,071 compared to $37,380 in Gary (+9.9%). East Chicago offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of East Chicago spend roughly 24% of their income on rent, less than the 31.3% in Gary. The East Chicago ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.