What is the cost of living in Elkhart, IN?
According to the most recent data on the cost of living, Elkhart has an overall cost of living index of 84, which is 0.8x lower than the national index of 100.
Compared to Indiana, Elkhart has a cost of living index that's 0.9x lower than Indiana's index of 90.
The standard of living in Elkhart ranks as #22 most affordable out of the 129 places we measured in Indiana. By definition, that implies Elkhart ranks as the #107 most expensive place in the Hoosier State.
For more reading on life in Elkhart, check out:
Elkhart Cost Of Living Vs. Indiana
Six factors go into calculating the cost of living index in Elkhart. Here is how it fares on each of the criteria:
The Services index in Elkhart is 100.
The Groceries index in Elkhart is 95.
The Health index in Elkhart is 62.
The Housing index in Elkhart is 94.
The Transportation index in Elkhart is 98.
The Utilities index in Elkhart is 99.
| Living Expense | Elkhart | Indiana | National Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 84 | 90 | 100 |
| Services | 100 | 97 | 100 |
| Groceries | 95 | 95 | 100 |
| Health | 62 | 72 | 100 |
| Housing | 94 | 98 | 100 |
| Transportation | 98 | 94 | 100 |
| Utilities | 99 | 96 | 100 |
Elkhart Cost Of Living Compared To Indiana Averages
Index where 100 = national average. Source: cost-of-living index 2026.
For more reading on cost of living around Indiana, check out:
Protect your home budget Compare home warranties in Elkhart Get matched →Source: Cost-of-living index 2026, normalized to US average = 100
Elkhart, 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 2020-2024. The key points are:
The Median Home Value in Elkhart is $222,794.
The Median Rent in Elkhart is $998.
The Median Income in Elkhart is $51,028.
The Home Value To Income in Elkhart is 4.4x.
The Rent To Monthly Income in Elkhart is 0.23x.
Elkhart, IN Costs By Category
Detailed Elkhart Services costs vs. Indiana
Detailed Elkhart Groceries costs vs. Indiana
Detailed Elkhart Health costs vs. Indiana
Detailed Elkhart Transportation costs vs. Indiana
Elkhart SnackAbility
Cost Of Living In Cities Around Elkhart
The cost of living varies in the cities and towns around Elkhart. Here's a quick look at the cost of living in the most populous nearby places:
Mishawaka, IN has a cost of living index of 85, 1.0x Elkhart.
Goshen, IN has a cost of living index of 88, 1.0x Elkhart.
Granger, IN has a cost of living index of 106, 1.3x Elkhart.
| City | Population | Cost Of Living | Vs. Elkhart |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mishawaka, IN | 51,021 | 85 | 1.0x |
| Goshen, IN | 34,420 | 88 | 1.0x |
| Granger, IN | 30,321 | 106 | 1.3x |
| Niles, MI | 11,803 | 85 | 1.0x |
| Nappanee, IN | 6,815 | 89 | 1.1x |
| Dunlap, IN | 6,109 | 93 | 1.1x |
