Cost of Living in Indiana
Indiana has 40 cities with cost-of-living data on CompareLiving, drawn from US Census, BEA, HUD, and EPA sources. Prices range from Carmel (cost index 93.8) to Bloomington (102.6), with a statewide average around 96.4 versus the US baseline of 100. Median rent is lowest in Marion at $760/mo and highest in Zionsville at $1,635/mo.
Indiana at a Glance
Cities Tracked
40
with census data
Avg Cost Index
96.4
US avg = 100
Avg Median Rent
$1,126
per month
Avg Household Income
$70,571
annual median
Most & Least Affordable Cities
Most Affordable
Most Expensive
| City | Cost Index | Median Rent |
|---|---|---|
| Bloomington | 102.6 | $1,160 |
| Richmond | 97.6 | $815 |
| Franklin | 96.5 | $1,127 |
| Columbus | 94.1 | $1,135 |
| Carmel | 93.8 | $1,607 |
Cost Index = BEA Regional Price Parity (US avg = 100)
Taxes in Indiana
State Income Tax
3.05%
Top marginal rate · Tax Foundation 2024
State Sales Tax
7.00%
Statewide base rate · local add-ons may apply
Popular Cities in Indiana
Indiana Cities — Full Table
Click columns to sort
| Indianapolis | 882,043 | — | $1,112 | $207,000 | $62,995 |
| Fort Wayne | 266,235 | — | $959 | $169,700 | $60,293 |
| Evansville | 116,441 | — | $949 | $129,100 | $52,251 |
| South Bend | 102,866 | — | $1,000 | $124,500 | $52,512 |
| Fishers | 100,918 | — | $1,491 | $370,200 | $128,141 |
| Carmel | 100,501 | 93.8 | $1,607 | $455,500 | $134,602 |
| Bloomington | 78,791 | 102.6 | $1,160 | $289,700 | $48,918 |
| Hammond | 77,098 | — | $1,089 | $141,700 | $53,950 |
| Noblesville | 71,940 | — | $1,284 | $321,800 | $102,319 |
| Lafayette | 70,650 | — | $1,039 | $157,600 | $52,946 |
| Gary | 68,604 | — | $975 | $85,300 | $37,380 |
| Muncie | 64,739 | — | $867 | $92,000 | $43,395 |
| Greenwood | 64,237 | — | $1,252 | $248,700 | $78,765 |
| Kokomo | 59,375 | — | $917 | $126,500 | $54,195 |
| Terre Haute | 58,491 | — | $877 | $109,500 | $41,960 |
| Anderson | 54,930 | 93.8 | $909 | $104,300 | $47,221 |
| Elkhart | 53,726 | — | $981 | $126,900 | $47,885 |
| Westfield | 51,109 | — | $1,526 | $391,900 | $119,598 |
| Columbus | 51,104 | 94.1 | $1,135 | $231,000 | $76,856 |
| Mishawaka | 50,907 | — | $1,041 | $140,600 | $53,120 |
| Jeffersonville | 50,176 | — | $1,090 | $208,500 | $70,157 |
| Lawrence | 49,284 | — | $1,084 | $220,400 | $73,455 |
| West Lafayette | 44,802 | — | $1,152 | $318,100 | $33,497 |
| Portage | 37,951 | — | $1,138 | $210,800 | $72,833 |
| New Albany | 37,589 | — | $971 | $169,600 | $54,152 |
| Merrillville | 36,343 | — | $1,304 | $194,000 | $64,791 |
| Plainfield | 35,783 | — | $1,313 | $263,900 | $85,074 |
| Richmond | 35,551 | 97.6 | $815 | $107,600 | $46,395 |
| Valparaiso | 34,377 | — | $1,142 | $250,500 | $67,664 |
| Goshen | 34,374 | — | $1,045 | $175,200 | $55,436 |
| Crown Point | 34,042 | — | $1,369 | $272,800 | $95,757 |
| Michigan City | 31,894 | — | $915 | $129,000 | $52,979 |
| Zionsville | 31,442 | — | $1,635 | $543,800 | $159,126 |
| Brownsburg | 30,310 | — | $1,405 | $282,800 | $105,435 |
| Granger | 30,279 | — | $1,381 | $302,500 | $117,348 |
| Hobart | 29,646 | — | $1,174 | $203,400 | $71,680 |
| Schererville | 29,627 | — | $1,224 | $294,600 | $86,020 |
| Marion | 27,384 | — | $760 | $83,200 | $43,349 |
| East Chicago | 26,158 | — | $820 | $92,400 | $41,071 |
| Franklin | 25,999 | 96.5 | $1,127 | $212,500 | $77,305 |
Cost Index = BEA Regional Price Parity (US avg = 100) · Income & Rent = US Census ACS
Compare Indiana cities head-to-head
Use our comparison tool to put any two cities side by side. Or explore national rankings to see how Indiana cities stack up across the US. For example, Indianapolis vs Fort Wayne.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cost of Living in Indiana
What is the cost of living in Indiana?
The average cost of living index across cities in Indiana is approximately 96.4 (US average = 100), which is slightly below the US average. Median gross rent averages around $1,126/month and median household income averages around $70,571/year.
What are the cheapest cities to live in Indiana?
The most affordable cities in Indiana by cost of living index are: 1. Carmel (index 93.8), 2. Anderson (index 93.8), 3. Columbus (index 94.1).
What is the median rent in Indiana?
The average median gross rent across cities in Indiana is approximately $1,126/month. Rent varies significantly by city and neighborhood — use the city profiles below for specific figures.
What are the income tax rates in Indiana?
Indiana's top marginal state income tax rate is 3.05%. This is the highest bracket rate; lower-income earners pay less. Source: Tax Foundation (2024).
What is the sales tax in Indiana?
Indiana's statewide sales tax rate is 7.00%. Local city and county rates may add to this. Source: Tax Foundation (2024).
Is it expensive to move to Indiana?
Indiana has a cost of living index of approximately 96.4 and average median rent around $1,126/month. It is generally more affordable than the US average, which can offset moving costs over time. Use our moving guides for salary equivalence calculations.
Data last updated: December 1, 2024 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, Tax Foundation · Methodology