East Chicago, IN vs Wabash, IN

Wabash is moderately more affordable than East Chicago, with a 9.2% lower cost of living index. East Chicago scores 68 compared to 63 for Wabash, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of East Chicago 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 $677/month in Wabash — a 21% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Wabash has cheaper rent, East Chicago actually has lower median home values ($92,400 vs $115,000).

Median household income in East Chicago is $41,071 compared to $54,199 in Wabash (-24.2%). Wabash 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, more than the 15% in Wabash.