Matthews, IN vs Patriot, IN

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Patriot is 17.1% cheaper than Matthews. With a cost index of 61 vs 71, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Patriot to Matthews should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Matthews is $1,040/month compared to $644/month in Patriot — a 62% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Patriot has cheaper rent, Matthews actually has lower median home values ($77,000 vs $103,600).

Median household income in Matthews is $45,833 compared to $52,917 in Patriot (-13.4%). Patriot offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Matthews spend roughly 27.2% of their income on rent, more than the 14.6% in Patriot.