Cost of Living in New Castle, IN

With a cost of living index of 65, New Castle, IN is one of the most affordable cities in the country. Living here is 35% cheaper than the national average and 14% below the Indiana state average of 78. New Castle is a smaller community of 17,356 residents, where everyday costs can differ substantially from nearby larger cities.

Housing costs are the biggest factor in New Castle's cost of living. The median monthly rent is $797 (40% below the US median of $1,319), and the median home value sits at $95,100 (69% below the national median of $304,900). At current prices, the median home costs roughly 1.9x the median household income — well within traditional affordability guidelines.

The median household income in New Castle is $48,977, which is 35% lower than the national median of $75,149. Residents spend roughly 20% of household income on rent. This is a comfortable ratio, well below the 30% threshold that financial experts recommend as a maximum. Lower incomes here are balanced by the significantly lower cost of living, stretching each dollar further.

Data sources: US Census Bureau (ACS 2023), Zillow Home Values, HUD Fair Market Rents, BEA Regional Price Parities, BLS Average Prices, and NOAA Climate Normals. Updated monthly.