What is the cost of living in Gary, IN?
According to the most recent data on the cost of living, Gary has an overall cost of living index of 81, which is 0.8x lower than the national index of 100.
Compared to Indiana, Gary has a cost of living index that's 0.9x lower than Indiana's index of 90.
The standard of living in Gary ranks as #7 most affordable out of the 129 places we measured in Indiana. By definition, that implies Gary ranks as the #122 most expensive place in the Hoosier State.
For more reading on life in Gary, check out:
Gary Cost Of Living Vs. Indiana
Six factors go into calculating the cost of living index in Gary. Here is how it fares on each of the criteria:
The Services index in Gary is 92.
The Groceries index in Gary is 99.
The Health index in Gary is 51.
The Housing index in Gary is 92.
The Transportation index in Gary is 97.
The Utilities index in Gary is 92.
| Living Expense | Gary | Indiana | National Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 81 | 90 | 100 |
| Services | 92 | 97 | 100 |
| Groceries | 99 | 95 | 100 |
| Health | 51 | 72 | 100 |
| Housing | 92 | 98 | 100 |
| Transportation | 97 | 94 | 100 |
| Utilities | 92 | 96 | 100 |
Gary 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 Gary Get matched →Source: Cost-of-living index 2026, normalized to US average = 100
Gary, 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 Gary is $86,989.
The Median Rent in Gary is $1,012.
The Median Income in Gary is $38,731.
The Home Value To Income in Gary is 2.2x.
The Rent To Monthly Income in Gary is 0.31x.
Gary, IN Costs By Category
Detailed Gary Services costs vs. Indiana
Detailed Gary Groceries costs vs. Indiana
Detailed Gary Health costs vs. Indiana
Detailed Gary Transportation costs vs. Indiana
Gary SnackAbility
Cost Of Living In Cities Around Gary
The cost of living varies in the cities and towns around Gary. 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 86, 1.1x Gary.
Portage, IN has a cost of living index of 96, 1.2x Gary.
Merrillville, IN has a cost of living index of 92, 1.1x Gary.
| City | Population | Cost Of Living | Vs. Gary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hammond, IN | 76,768 | 86 | 1.1x |
| Portage, IN | 38,082 | 96 | 1.2x |
| Merrillville, IN | 36,476 | 92 | 1.1x |
| Hobart, IN | 29,558 | 95 | 1.2x |
| Lansing, IL | 28,284 | 93 | 1.1x |
| East Chicago, IN | 26,022 | 84 | 1.0x |
| South Holland, IL | 20,911 | 102 | 1.3x |
| Homewood, IL | 19,294 | 100 | 1.2x |
| Country Club Hills, IL | 16,324 | 99 | 1.2x |
| Griffith, IN | 16,273 | 95 | 1.2x |
