New Castle, IN vs Portage, IN

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. New Castle is 26.3% cheaper than Portage. With a cost index of 65 vs 88, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from New Castle to Portage should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in New Castle is $797/month compared to $1,138/month in Portage — a 30% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: New Castle is more affordable at $95,100 median vs $210,800.

Median household income in New Castle is $48,977 compared to $72,833 in Portage (-32.8%). While Portage is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of New Castle spend roughly 19.5% of their income on rent, more than the 18.7% in Portage.