Gary, IN vs Kokomo, IN

Gary, IN and Kokomo, IN have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.2% difference in their overall index. Gary scores 72 while Kokomo scores 70 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 Gary is $975/month compared to $917/month in Kokomo — a 6% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Kokomo has cheaper rent, Gary actually has lower median home values ($85,300 vs $126,500).

Median household income in Gary is $37,380 compared to $54,195 in Kokomo (-31%). Kokomo offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Gary spend roughly 31.3% of their income on rent, more than the 20.3% in Kokomo. The Kokomo ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.