Nappanee, IN vs New Chicago, IN

Nappanee, IN and New Chicago, IN have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.3% difference in their overall index. Nappanee scores 76 while New Chicago scores 79 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 Nappanee is $876/month compared to $1,090/month in New Chicago — a 20% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Nappanee has cheaper rent, New Chicago actually has lower median home values ($118,900 vs $209,000).

Median household income in Nappanee is $66,944 compared to $54,700 in New Chicago (+22.4%). Nappanee offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Nappanee spend roughly 15.7% of their income on rent, less than the 23.9% in New Chicago.