East Chicago, IN Cost Of Living

Demographics | Crime | Cost Of Living
Updated: 2025-10-24

Cost Of Living In East Chicago, IN Summary

Cost of living in East Chicago research summary. The cost of living index is set to 100 for the average place in the United States. A cost of living index above 100 means East Chicago is expensive. An index value below 100 means the city is a relatively cheap place to live.

On a city-by-city basis in Indiana, home prices and rent have the biggest impact on the cost of living. Here are the key takeaways based on Saturday Night Science:

  • The cost of living index in East Chicago is 89, with 100 being the average.

  • The cost of living index in East Chicago is 0.9x lower than the national average.

  • East Chicago ranks as the #56 cheapest in Indiana out of 128.

  • East Chicago ranks as the #1,060 cheapest out of 6,489 in the US.

  • The median home value in East Chicago is $131,146.

  • The median income in East Chicago is $41,071.

Table Of Contents

  1. Summary
  2. National Comparison
  3. Housing Breakdown
  4. Detailed Pricing
  5. Nearby Comparisons
89
East Chicago's Overall Cost Of Living
0.9x
Lower Than The National Average

What is the cost of living in East Chicago, IN?

According to the most recent data on the cost of living, East Chicago has an overall cost of living index of 89, which is 0.9x lower than the national index of 100.

Compared to Indiana, East Chicago has a cost of living index that's 1.0x lower than Indiana's index of 92.

The standard of living in East Chicago ranks as #56 most affordable out of the 128 places we measured in Indiana. By definition, that implies East Chicago ranks as the #72 most expensive place in the Hoosier State.

For more reading on life in East Chicago, check out:

56 out of 128
In Indiana
1,060 out of 6,489
In America

East Chicago Cost Of Living Vs. Indiana

Six factors go into calculating the cost of living index in East Chicago. Here is how it fairs on each of the criteria:

  • The Services index in East Chicago is 106.

  • The Groceries index in East Chicago is 106.

  • The Health index in East Chicago is 110.

  • The Housing index in East Chicago is 48.

  • The Transportation index in East Chicago is 107.

  • The Utilities index in East Chicago is 90.

Living Expense East Chicago Indiana National Average
Overall 89 92 100
Services 106 95 100
Groceries 106 97 100
Health 110 94 100
Housing 48 73 100
Transportation 107 94 100
Utilities 90 107 100
For more reading on cost of living around Indiana, check out:
East Chicago Cost of Living Vs. IN

East Chicago, IN Housing Cost Breakdown

Housing swings affordability the most between places in Indiana, so we broke down housing costs into more detail. Home and income data comes from the most recent US Census ACS 2019-2023. The key points are:

  • The Median Home Value in East Chicago is $131,146.

  • The Median Rent in East Chicago is $820.

  • The Median Income in East Chicago is $41,071.

  • The Home Value To Income in East Chicago is 3.2x.

  • The Rent To Monthly Income in East Chicago is 0.24x.

Statistic East Chicago Indiana United States
Median Home Value $131,146 $251,301 $303,400
Median Rent $820 $1,020 $1,348
Median Income $41,071 $70,051 $78,538
Home Value To Income 3.2x 3.6x 3.9x
Rent To Monthly Income 0.24x 0.17x 0.21x
$131,146
Median Home Value
$820
Median Rent
$41,071
Median Income

East Chicago, IN Costs By Category

Detailed East Chicago Services Costs Vs. Indiana

Item East Chicago Indiana
Shampoo $1.27 $1.28
Movie $17.91 $12.13
Bowling $24.58 $18
Haircut $33.69 $24.26
Beauty Salon $53.44 $45.56

Detailed East Chicago Groceries Costs Vs. Indiana

Item East Chicago Indiana
Ground Beef $5.28 $5.84
Fried Chicken $1.42 $1.57
Milk $4.87 $4.67
Potatoes $4.9 $4.93
Pizza $13.41 $12.09
Beer $10.0 $10.41
Toothpaste $3.75 $3.7

Detailed East Chicago Health Costs Vs. Indiana

Item East Chicago Indiana
Optometrist $118.27 $125.68
Doctor $167.67 $135.78
Dentist $128.22 $113.29

Detailed East Chicago Transportation Costs Vs. Indiana

Item East Chicago Indiana
Gasoline $3.56 $3.46
Tire Balancing $70.87 $59.92

Detailed East Chicago Utilities Costs Vs. Indiana

Item East Chicago Indiana
All Electricity $148.58 $193.99
Phone $210.03 $192.25

East Chicago SnackAbility

5
/10
Overall SnackAbility
Jobs
4/10
Housing
4
Affordability
8
Diversity
9
Safety
N/A
Amenities
9
Education
3
Commute
8

Cost Of Living In Cities Around East Chicago

The cost of living varies in the cities and towns around East Chicago. Here's a quick look at the cost of living in the most populous nearby places:

  • Hammond, IN has a cost of living index of 93, 1.0x East Chicago.

  • Gary, IN has a cost of living index of 88, 1.0x East Chicago.

  • Tinley Park, IL has a cost of living index of 109, 1.2x East Chicago.

City Population Cost Of Living Vs. East Chicago
Hammond, IN 77,098 93 1.0x
Gary, IN 68,604 88 1.0x
Tinley Park, IL 55,007 109 1.2x
Lansing, IL 28,415 99 1.1x
Oak Forest, IL 26,888 105 1.2x
Munster, IN 23,733 110 1.2x
Dolton, IL 20,979 97 1.1x
Evergreen Park, IL 19,498 108 1.2x
Homewood, IL 19,471 102 1.1x
Matteson, IL 18,681 104 1.2x

Articles About Indiana

Enjoy The Snack?