Cost of Living in Indiana

Indiana has a cost of living index of 78, making it 22% less expensive than the national average. The statewide median household income is $69,276 (8% below the US median of $75,149). Across 814 cities tracked in Indiana, costs vary widely depending on location, proximity to metro areas, and local housing markets.

Housing drives most of the variation. The average median rent across Indiana cities is $907/mo (31% below the national median of $1,319), and the average median home value is $162,351 (47% below the national figure of $304,900). There is a 71-point spread between the most affordable city, Hartford City (index 58), and the most expensive, Winfield (index 129) — a large gap that shows significant regional cost differences.

When evaluating Indiana, it helps to look beyond the state average. Individual city costs can deviate significantly — use the map and rankings below to compare specific locations.

The largest cities in Indiana by population are Indianapolis city (balance) (index 84, pop. 882,043), Fort Wayne (index 74, pop. 266,235), Evansville (index 71, pop. 116,441), South Bend (index 73, pop. 102,866), and Fishers (index 109, pop. 100,918). Cost of living varies considerably even among these major population centers, highlighting the importance of comparing individual cities rather than relying on the state average alone.

Data: US Census Bureau (ACS 2023), Zillow, HUD, BEA Regional Price Parities. Updated monthly.