Cost of living in Indiana
Updated Updated for 2026 tax law
Prices in Indiana are 6.7% below the national average — a Regional Price Parity of 93.3 (U.S. = 100), making it the #18 cheapest of 51 states and DC. Compare Indiana with any other state below, including the effect of taxes.
- Texas vs Indiana prices
- 4.0% pricier
- Take-home in Indiana at $75,000
- $59,410$4,951 / month
- Take-home you'd need in Texas
- $61,783$5,149 / month
- Take-home in Texas at the same $75,000
- $61,593$5,133 / month
- Same salary: change in real take-home
- −0.3%−$190 a year in Indiana buying power
Equivalent after tax = the gross pay in Texas whose take-home, adjusted for Texas prices, buys what your Indiana take-home buys today. Statewide averages — big metros (and rent) vary a lot within a state.
How to compare Indiana with another state
- Enter your salary — the calculator starts with Indiana as your current state.
- Pick the state you're comparing with (moving to Indiana? press ⇄ to swap).
- Read the salary with equal buying power after taxes, and the "same salary" change in your real take-home.
Indiana prices by category
| Category | Indiana | vs U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 93.3 | −6.7% |
| Goods | 95.5 | −4.5% |
| Housing (rent) | 73.9 | −26.1% |
| Utilities | 85.5 | −14.5% |
| Other services | 99.1 | −0.9% |
Low housing costs keep Indiana affordable: rents run 26% below average. The overall price level rose 1.3% relative to the nation versus 2023 (92.1). Housing covers rent and the rental value of owner-occupied homes; "other services" includes health care, dining out, transportation and education.
Take-home pay in Indiana, adjusted for prices
| Salary | Taxes | Take-home | Real take-home | U.S.-average equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $9,091 | $40,910 | $43,834 | $53,574 |
| $75,000 | $15,591 | $59,410 | $63,656 | $80,361 |
| $100,000 | $23,741 | $76,260 | $81,710 | $107,148 |
At $75,000, Indiana ranks #18 of 51 for real take-home pay, after both taxes and prices. Full paycheck details: Indiana paycheck calculator.
What $75,000 in Indiana equals in other states
Prices = price level relative to Indiana. "Salary (after tax)" is what you'd need to earn there, single filer, to live like you do on $75,000 in Indiana once both prices and state taxes are counted.
| State | Prices | Salary (prices only) | Salary (after tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois | +7.1% | $80,327 | $83,570 |
| Michigan | +3.1% | $77,321 | $78,922 |
| Ohio | −0.6% | $74,554 | $73,633 |
| Kentucky | −3.4% | $72,453 | $72,467 |
| State | Prices | Salary (prices only) | Salary (after tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arkansas | −6.8% | $69,863 | $69,052 |
| Mississippi | −6.8% | $69,876 | $69,011 |
| Iowa | −6.0% | $70,526 | $69,698 |
| Oklahoma | −5.9% | $70,591 | $70,679 |
| California | +18.6% | $88,976 | $96,075 |
| Hawaii | +17.8% | $88,358 | $95,214 |
| Washington, DC | +17.8% | $88,317 | $94,185 |
| New Jersey | +16.6% | $87,437 | $91,931 |
| Texas | +4.0% | $77,996 | $75,270 |
| Florida | +10.8% | $83,104 | $81,022 |
| New York | +15.6% | $86,726 | $91,942 |
Moving from Indiana to a pricier state? The "after taxes too" column folds in state income tax, so a no-tax state can beat a cheaper state with a high income tax. Statewide averages hide large metro differences — check local rents before you move.
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by State, 2024 (table SARPP, released February 19, 2026, bea.gov). Take-home pay: our 2026 federal, FICA and state income-tax engine, single filer, no pre-tax deductions; local income taxes are not included.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Indiana expensive to live in?
Indiana has a price level of 93.3 (U.S. = 100), so living costs are 6.7% below the national average. It ranks #18 of 51 from cheapest to most expensive (BEA 2024).
How much do you need to make to live in Indiana?
To match the buying power of a $75,000 salary at national-average prices, you need about $69,997 in Indiana before taxes. After Indiana taxes, $75,000 takes home $59,410 — worth $63,656 at U.S.-average prices, #18 of 51 states.
How much more expensive is rent in Indiana?
Indiana's housing price level is 73.9, meaning rents are 26.1% below the national average. Goods are 95.5 and utilities 85.5.
Which neighboring state is cheapest?
Kentucky (price level 90.2, −3.4% vs Indiana). A $75,000 Indiana salary is equivalent to $72,467 there after taxes.
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Estimates for information only — not tax, legal or financial advice.