Indiana is a state in the Midwestern United States.
This state is 38th-largest by area and the 17th-most populous of all other U.S states.
Usually, this state is known as the Crossroads of America and Railroad City because Indiana was a transportation and shipping hub for products moving across America.
Moreover, the name Indiana means Land of the Indians, so it is not surprising that all Native Americans occupied this land many years ago.
But, these days, Indiana has developed into a worthy travel destination.
In that case, let’s have a deeper look at the cost of living here, and which cities are the top five most expensive cities for living in this state?
Keep reading because, in the following, we will describe in detail every cost in this state.
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Cost of Living in Indiana
Indiana is known for its low cost.
If you have any doubt about is Indiana a good state for a living – then definitely yes!
Here you can expect affordable housing, reasonable prices for foods and restaurants, low cost of healthcare, and even more, unexpensive transport tickets.
But, those costs are in general, which means that maybe in some cities across the state, the prices will grow much more.
The cost of living in Indiana is 18% lower than the national average.
Similarly, the cost of housing is 40% below average.
The average home price for a house in Indiana is $186.000, which is $46.000 lower than national averages.
Due to that, 74% of Indiana residents own their home, which is the leading homeownership rate in the country.
Also, the cost of renting is generally low-priced.
You can find a one-bedroom apartment with complete equipment at a reasonable price.
Food Costs
Have you heard – that a restaurant is no restaurant at all unless they serve some traditional foods?
Well, in Indiana, traditional meals have in every corner of this state because there are plenty of restaurants.
Indiana means a state which has one-of-a-kind food.
Interesting is that the prices in restaurants are affordable for all citizens.
And so does food in supermarkets, which makes this state an excellent place for living.
Transportation Costs
Indiana has not the nickname “Crossroads of America,” casually.
A local saying is, “you can never get lost in Indiana,” because all regular highways lead straight to Indianapolis.
That means you have access to any area in the state and a direct link back to the state capital.
Given these points, you will have much easier travel throughout the state without the worry of getting lost.
Due to these facts, Indiana is ranked second place for being a good state for drivers, with a low cost of ownership, decent traffic, and reasonable safety.
For instance, a one-day pass for local transport is almost $1, while a monthly ticket is only $30.
The Top Five Expensive Cities in This State
Cost of living changes based on where you’re located in the state of Indiana.
Here are the top five most expensive cities in Indiana.
Indianapolis
The largest and capital city of this state is Indianapolis.
So, with this in mind, you are all wondering about the actual cost of living in this state?
In fact, one of the fancy costs is housing and renting.
The downtown center is the most expensive area of this city.
Accordingly, one bedroom with rent and utilities is around $950.
Public transportation is also expensive when we have in mind the prices in other cities across Indiana.
A local transport ticket is $1.96, while a monthly pass for local transport costs $60.
A dinner for two in a restaurant is nearly $60, which is a high price for Indiana.
Equally, for a fast food meal, you should expect to pay a little less than $8.
On the other side, prices for sports or leisure activities are not so high-priced.
For instance, a gym membership per one month is only $28, while a cinema ticker per one person is $10.
Despite these high prices, we highly advise you to begin your Indiana adventure by visiting this capital city Indianapolis.
There is so much to explore and see in this city.
Fort Wayne
Despite its high cost, there are plenty of things, why especially this Midwestern spot is a great place to call home.
There are dozens and dozens of local playgrounds and lots of greenery in the city for walking or biking.
Also, Fort Wayne has a vibrant and growing arts society, a wide variety of jobs, and most importantly, everyone is family-friendly.
As for the cost of living, Fort Wayne is $1395, which makes top 34% of the most expensive cities in the world.
Only for rent, a one-bedroom apartment can cost you around $780, which is expensive for Indiana.
Even so, healthcare services are also being so overpriced.
For example, just for one doctor’s visit, you can pay $95.
Besides, this city is a local hotspot full of one-of-a-kind restaurants, including nightlife with a little bit of everything.
Many bars allow you to sample home-brewed Indiana beer, most likely made by the residents of Broad Ripple.
So, a lunch menu for one person is $15, and dinner in a restaurant for two people can cost you more than $50.
Fast food meals Equiv. McDonald’s is much less than in Indianapolis, and it costs – $6.84.
Evansville
Evansville is a city in Indiana, located in the far southwest portion of the state.
This Ohio Riverport has a population of 118,588.
Downtown is modern and attractive, with historic areas and a walker mall near the waterfront.
But, what about the actual cost of living in this city?
Although Evansville has grocery prices that are 11% lower than the national average, still, they are expensive compared to other cities across the state.
A loaf of bread is $2.89, one gallon of milk is near $2, and a carton of eggs in the supermarket is much more than $2.
South Bend
South Bend is the fourth largest city in Indiana, with a population of 102,037.
This city is in St. Joseph County and is one of the best places to live in Indiana.
Living in South Bend offers residents a dense suburban feel, and most residents own their homes.
The price for a one-bedroom apartment with utilities included is $851.
Restaurant prices are identically the same as in Broad Ripple, but the prices for transportations are higher here.
A monthly local pass is around $2, while a monthly ticket is $40.
Carmel
There are a variety of things to do in this city.
From shopping malls to theatres and parks.
By all means, whether you are interested in sculpture, glassworks, painting, the performing arts, or simply some artistic artisanal chocolate, you can find it in Carmel.
The average cost of living in Carmel is $1797.
That makes this city in the top 8% of the most expensive cities in the world.
Only for a one-way ticket pass for local transport is almost $3.
Not to mention the high-priced expenses for health care, rent, and utilities.
For instance, a one doctor’s visit is around $110.
Indiana Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Indiana Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW
- MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM
- TERRORISM RISK: MEDIUM
- SCAMS RISK: LOW
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: MEDIUM
Additional Resources
Cost of Living in Colorado Cities: These Are the Top 5
Cost of Living in Rhode Island Cities: These Are the Top 5
Cost of Living in Oregon Cities: These Are the Top 5
Cost of Living in Maryland Cities: These Are the Top 5
Cost of Living in California Cities: These Are the Top 5
Cost of Living in Kentucky Cities: These Are the Top 5
Living in Indiana cities is affordable and offers great value for money.