Evansville, IN vs Gary, IN

Evansville, IN and Gary, IN have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.2% difference in their overall index. Evansville scores 71 while Gary scores 72 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 Evansville is $949/month compared to $975/month in Gary — a 3% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Evansville has cheaper rent, Gary actually has lower median home values ($85,300 vs $129,100).

Median household income in Evansville is $52,251 compared to $37,380 in Gary (+39.8%). Evansville offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Evansville spend roughly 21.8% of their income on rent, less than the 31.3% in Gary. The Evansville ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.