Cost of Living in Indiana [2025]
Indiana is a great state with lots to offer, from the hustle and bustle of the city in Indianapolis to suburbs filled with cornfields. Neighboring Indiana has some areas that can compete with Chicago, some preferring the Hoosier state for its milder winters and small town vibes.
Although Indiana has become a more popular place to live, living costs remain lower than the nation’s average. Thankfully, you can easily find something within your budget by taking a closer look at the cost of living in Indiana. The good news is, we’ve already done all the research, so you don’t have to.
Start by checking out this apartment guide, then keep scrolling for all the details on building your new budget in Indiana.
Cost of Living in Indiana
What Is the Cost of Living in Indiana?
Indiana is tenth cheapest state in the US, with a cost of living 16.3% lower than the national average. However, the cost of living in Indiana varies depending on the area you live in. From large cities to more rural settings, you can find a place to fit your budget in Indiana.
Where Is the Cost of Living Highest in Indiana?
One of the most expensive cities in Indiana is Bloomington, where the cost of living is 6.1% higher compared to the state average. Bloomington is still an affordable city, especially compared to similar sized cities in the midwest. You'll spend 11.2% less on the overall cost of living than in the rest of the U.S.
Where Is the Cost of Living Lowest in Indiana?
If you're looking for a cheap place to live, Richmond is among the cheapest cities to live in Indiana, with a cost of living being 15.7% lower compared to the state average. It's also 29.4% lower than the national average, making it an extremely affordable place to live.
How Much Is Rent in Indiana?
We looked over our rent reports as of November 2024 across different sizes. We broke down some of the most popular cities in Indianapolis to see their median rents.
| Location | One-Bedroom Rent | Two-Bedroom Rent | Overall Median Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indianapolis | $1,056 | $1,250 | $1,227 |
| Bloomington | $1,005 | $1,178 | $1,176 |
| Fort Wayne | $846 | $1,051 | $1,031 |
| Greenwood | $1,047 | $1,256 | $1,323 |
What Salary Do You Need to Live in Indiana?
To determine your recommended salary in Indiana, you can apply the 30% rule, which says should not spend more than one-third of your gross income on rent in order to live comfortably (i.e. cover all your bills and have enough left for savings and entertainment). If you live in Indianapolis in a one-bedroom apartment at $1,056 a month, you'll need to earn around $42,240 a year, $3,520 a month, or $20.19 an hour to afford it comfortably. If you’re planning to rent in Bloomington, where the median rent for a one-bedroom is $1,005, then you'll want to aim to earn at least $40,200, $3,350 a month, or $19,33 an hour.
We also looked over MIT's living wage data for the state of Indiana. The calculate the basic living wage of Indiana at $20.44 for a single adult, which is the minimum amount you should earn to pay for housing, healthcare, food, transportation, and basic expenses. This figure won't cover student loan debt, travel, or a savings fund.
The U.S. Census Bureau also reports the median household income of Indiana at $67,173, $5,597.75 a month, or $32.29 an hour. That figure is lower than the median household income for the U.S. of $75,149, $6,262.42 a month, or $39.06 an hour, but is still higher than the 30% rule and living wage in Indiana.
How Much Are Utilities in Indiana?
The average cost of monthly utilities, including electricity, heating, cooling, water, and garbage for a 915 square foot apartment is $207.07 nationally, but in Indiana, it's slightly higher in most cities. Here is what to expect to pay for basic utilities in different cities in Indiana:
- Indianapolis: $117.65/month
- Fort Wayne: $274.17/month
- Evansville: $225/month
- Carmel: $274.17/month
- South Bend: $117.65/month
Learn more about the estimated utility costs per city!
Your average utility bills can vary dramatically depending on the city you move to. Considering the national average cost of utilities is $237.93 monthly, the averages throughout the state of Indiana are reasonable. Only the popular city of South Bend is slightly above the national average.
Remember that these average costs do not include other expenses, such as the internet. The average monthly cost of internet of 60 Mbps or more, unlimited data, or cable/ADSL in these major cities is:
- Indianapolis: $73/month
- Fort Wayne: $62.78/month
- Evansville: $62.50/month
- Carmel: $65.27/month
- South Bend: $50/month
According to the national average, your monthly cell phone bill will cost you around $127.37 per month. This monthly bill is another you’ll have to keep in mind when budgeting.
To help save on some of your monthly costs, you might be able to bundle your cell phone with your internet provider. Don’t be afraid to ask your provider about these discounts and more, including specials for new customers.
How Much Is Transportation in Indiana?
Getting around in Indiana can be costly, with average annual transportation costs of $10,616 for a single individual, according to the MIT Living Wage Calculator. If you’re a family of four with two working adults and two children, you can anticipate paying around $17,808 in transportation costs on an annual basis.
If you want to save on transportation, living in a walkable area to restaurants, work, and recreation can save a bundle. Relying on ride shares and public transportation is an option if you don't want to spend money to maintain a car.
The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) is the state’s top public transit agency. An extensive list of the state’s public transportation system by county and city can be found on their website.
How Much Are Groceries in Indiana?
The average single Indiana resident spends around $3,856 annually on food, roughly $334.16 per month. For a family of four with two working adults and two children, these costs nearly triple to $11,334 annually, approximately $984.33 per month.
These figures are associated with food picked up at the local Martin’s Super Market, Needler’s Fresh Market, or Whole Foods Market and entirely prepared in the home. You may also want to budget for additional food costs if you are anything short of a mastermind in the kitchen.
With so many delicious restaurants and iconic Indiana foods, it’s hard to resist a few meals outside of your kitchen. Don’t forget to account for eating out in your budget so you can try out the famous sugar cream pie, pork tenderloin sandwiches, and persimmon pudding.
To get a better idea of how to budget, here’s a look at some of the average costs for a three-course meal for two people in a mid-range restaurant across Indiana:
- Indianapolis: $75/meal
- Fort Wayne: $57.50/meal
- Evansville: $60/meal
- Carmel: $75/meal
- South Bend: $60/meal
How Much Is Healthcare in Indiana?
A single adult without children will pay around $3,383 for medical care in a single year, while a family of four with two working adults and two children can expect to pay $9,228, not including child care.
You can check out the federal healthcare marketplace before moving to see what coverage is available in your new state. Since enrollment periods for healthcare typically fall in November, you can report your move to ensure you qualify for out-of-state coverage if your move happens any other time of the year.
If you’re under 26, you still might be able to stay on your parent’s policy even if you’re moving out of state. Check with your current provider to see which doctors fall in the network in your new location to be sure.
Indiana Fitness and Entertainment
There is no shortage of fitness and entertainment opportunities in Indiana, which is why it’s important to understand the costs associated with them.
Indiana is one of the many states that enjoy four distinct seasons year-round. Summers bring warm and humid weather, while winters are cold and snowy. The frigid temperatures of the winter months can make outdoor exercise challenging to maintain year-round. To maintain your fitness year-round, you might want to consider a gym membership.
Thankfully, the average cost of a monthly fitness club membership in Indiana’s major cities is relatively low:
- Indianapolis: $32.80/month
- Fort Wayne: $50/month
- Evansville: $36.33/month
- Carmel: $70/month
- South Bend: $42.47/month
Indiana has several outdoor activities that can help you save on costs when weather permits, including walking, hiking, climbing, etc. But, if you plan to be outdoors year-round, remember that you’ll have to adjust your wardrobe accordingly, which will also come at an additional cost.
Indiana National and State Parks
Indiana is home to three national parks, including:
- Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial
- George Rogers Clark National Historical Park
- Indiana Dunes National Park
In addition to national parks, Indiana also has 24 state parks scattered throughout and eight reservoir properties.
Indiana Museums & Attractions
You’ll also find countless museums and attractions in Indiana, great for year-round family entertainment. Some of the state’s most famous include:
- The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis
- Grissom Air Museum in Peru -
- Conner Prairie in Fishers
- Science Central in Fort Wayne
- Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum in Auburn
- Indiana Motor Speedway
Other Expenses to Consider in Indiana
Indiana has had a flat state income tax at 3.23% since 2017. Some counties within the state charge an additional income tax, albeit relatively low. The state sales tax is also 7%.
Additional expenses like movers, storage, hotels, and transportation often come with big moves from out of state. Other optional add-on costs that you may incur once you get to your new home may include additional fees such as apartment application fees, security deposits, pet deposits.
Your new home will also need furnishings, which cost money. You’ll have to account for this spending in your budget since you’ll want to do some decorating to make it feel like a home. To avoid overspending in this area of your move, check out a few tips on how to decorate your apartment on a budget.
Tips for Renting in Indiana
If you're uncertain about a neighborhood, consider a month-to-month apartment before making a long-term 12 month commitment. If it's your first time renting or if you don't have a high credit score, consider no credit check apartments. Lastly, if you prefer to rent from the owner of an apartment and have a more personal relationship with them rather than property managers, consider a for rent by owner apartment.
Looking for an Apartment in Indiana?
If you want to move to an beautiful state with extra breathing room, Indiana might be the state for you. Register with Apartment List today and start checking out the thousands of available apartments to rent in Indiana!
FAQs: Cost of Living in Indiana
How expensive is an apartment in Indiana?
The median rent prices vary throughout Indiana. The median rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Indianapolis is $1,056 a month or $1,250 a month for a two-bedroom apartment. In Bloomington, a one-bedroom apartment is $1,005 or $1,178 for a two-bedroom apartment. In Fort Wayne, a one-bedroom apartment is $846 and a two-bedroom is $1,051. In Greenwood, a one-bedroom apartment is $1,047 and a two-bedroom is $1,256.
What is the cheapest rent in Indiana?
The cheapest rent in major cities around Indiana is $846 in Fort Wayne for a one-bedroom apartment. For a two-bedroom apartment, you'll spend a median rent of $1,051 in Fort Wayne.
How expensive is it to live in Indiana?
In Indianapolis, the median rent is $1,056 per month for a one-bedroom apartment. An individual resident in Indiana spends around $3,856 annually on food. A family of four with two working adults and two children will spend about $11,334 annually. For transportation, expect to spend $10,616 for a single adult or $17,808 for a familiy of two working adults and two children. Indiana does not have a very reliable public transportation city. However, there are walkable and bikable areas of Indianapolis to make it easier to reduce your reliance on a car.
How far is Indiana from Ohio?
Indiana is 239.3 miles from Ohio and takes about 3 hours and 40 minutes to drive. There is limited Amtrak service between Indaianpolis and Cleeland and takes nearly 8 hours, including a layover.
How far is Indiana from Michigan?
It's 320.3 miles between Indiana and Michigan and takes about five hours to drive.
How far is Indiana from New York?
Indiana is 739.7 miles to New York and takes about eleven and a half hours to drive.
What is the population of Indiana?
According to the US Census Bureau, 6,862,199 people live in the state of Indiana.
What is a good salary in Indiana?
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the median household income in Indiana is or about $67,173. If you want to comfortably afford a one bedroom apartment in Indiana, you should consider only spending 30% of your take home pay on rent. If you rent a one bedroom apartment in Indianapolis for $1,056 a month, your annual salary should be around $42,240, or $3m520 per month.
Share this Article
