What it actually costs to live in Indiana.
Indiana’s cost-of-living index sits at 90 on the MERIC composite (national average = 100), ranking #39 of 51 jurisdictions for cost. That means a standard basket of goods + services in Indiana costs about 10% LESS than the US average. Median home price: $265,000. Population-weighted median rent across metros: $896/mo.
Indiana cost components
| Component | Indiana | National avg |
|---|---|---|
| COL index (basket) | 90 | 100 |
| Median home price | $265,000 | ~$420,000 |
| Median rent (pop-weighted) | $896/mo | ~$1,850/mo |
| Commute cost (proxy) | $182/mo | ~$185/mo |
Commute cost = avg metro commute minutes × $0.18/min × 2 trips × 22 work days. Refined BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey integration tracked for v1.
How Indiana compares
Of all 51 US jurisdictions, Indiana ranks #39 for cost. That places Indiana in the middle — moderate cost without being a particular outlier. For the live state-vs-state heat map see the interactive cost-of-living map.
Indiana metros — city-level cost
State averages hide major intra-state variation. Indianapolis has very different housing dynamics than smaller Indiana metros. Click any city for the full home affordability breakdown.
- IndianapolisCOL 88 · home $260,000rent $915/mo →
- Fort WayneCOL 84 · home $200,000rent $850/mo →
- EvansvilleCOL 82 · home $165,000rent $825/mo →
More Indiana metros coming as we expand city coverage.
Indiana cost of living — common questions
What is the cost of living in Indiana?
Indiana's MERIC cost-of-living index is 90 (national average = 100). That means a typical basket of goods + services in Indiana costs about 10% less than the US average.
What is the median home price in Indiana?
Indiana's state-level median home price is approximately $265,000 (Census ACS 2024). Metros vary significantly — see the top-metro list below for city-level breakdowns.
What is the median rent in Indiana?
Indiana's population-weighted median rent across metros in our dataset is approximately $896/mo. Major-metro rents typically run 30-80% above this state-level average.
Are there any Indiana-specific cost-of-living quirks?
Indiana COL index ~91; among the most affordable Midwestern states for housing — Indianapolis median home ~$235k vs Chicago $325k.
Reviewed by CalcFi Editorial · COL source: MERIC quarterly; home + rent: Census ACS 2024. Last verified 2026-04-19.