Elkhart, IN vs Shelbyville, IN

Elkhart, IN and Shelbyville, IN have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.2% difference in their overall index. Elkhart scores 73 while Shelbyville scores 75 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 Elkhart is $981/month compared to $970/month in Shelbyville — a 1% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Shelbyville has cheaper rent, Elkhart actually has lower median home values ($126,900 vs $151,100).

Median household income in Elkhart is $47,885 compared to $58,532 in Shelbyville (-18.2%). While Shelbyville is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Elkhart spend roughly 24.6% of their income on rent, more than the 19.9% in Shelbyville.