Notre Dame, IN vs Spencer, IN

The cost of living difference between Notre Dame, IN and Spencer, IN is dramatic. Spencer is 34.9% cheaper than Notre Dame, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Notre Dame has a cost index of 95 while Spencer sits at 71, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

Renters will find that Notre Dame has a median rent of $1,268/month while Spencer comes in at $860/month, a 47% difference.

Median household income in Notre Dame is $19,082 compared to $47,994 in Spencer (-60.2%). Spencer offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Notre Dame spend roughly 79.7% of their income on rent, more than the 21.5% in Spencer. The Spencer ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.