Middletown, IN vs Salem, IN

Middletown, IN and Salem, IN have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.8% difference in their overall index. Middletown scores 66 while Salem scores 66 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 Middletown is $806/month compared to $736/month in Salem — a 10% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Salem has cheaper rent, Middletown actually has lower median home values ($98,500 vs $136,800).

Median household income in Middletown is $55,833 compared to $51,786 in Salem (+7.8%). Middletown offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Middletown spend roughly 17.3% of their income on rent, more than the 17.1% in Salem.