What is the cost of living in Rensselaer, IN?
According to the most recent data on the cost of living, Rensselaer has an overall cost of living index of 87, which is 0.9x lower than the national index of 100.
Compared to Indiana, Rensselaer has a cost of living index that's 1.0x lower than Indiana's index of 90.
The standard of living in Rensselaer ranks as #45 most affordable out of the 129 places we measured in Indiana. By definition, that implies Rensselaer ranks as the #84 most expensive place in the Hoosier State.
For more reading on life in Rensselaer, check out:
Rensselaer Cost Of Living Vs. Indiana
Six factors go into calculating the cost of living index in Rensselaer. Here is how it fares on each of the criteria:
The Services index in Rensselaer is 96.
The Groceries index in Rensselaer is 98.
The Health index in Rensselaer is 67.
The Housing index in Rensselaer is 97.
The Transportation index in Rensselaer is 92.
The Utilities index in Rensselaer is 99.
| Living Expense | Rensselaer | Indiana | National Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 87 | 90 | 100 |
| Services | 96 | 97 | 100 |
| Groceries | 98 | 95 | 100 |
| Health | 67 | 72 | 100 |
| Housing | 97 | 98 | 100 |
| Transportation | 92 | 94 | 100 |
| Utilities | 99 | 96 | 100 |
Rensselaer 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 Rensselaer Get matched →Source: Cost-of-living index 2026, normalized to US average = 100
Rensselaer, 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 Rensselaer is $242,740.
The Median Rent in Rensselaer is $936.
The Median Income in Rensselaer is $60,331.
The Home Value To Income in Rensselaer is 4.0x.
The Rent To Monthly Income in Rensselaer is 0.19x.
| Statistic | Rensselaer | Indiana | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $242,740 | $254,121 | $332,700 |
| Median Rent | $936 | $1,062 | $1,413 |
| Median Income | $60,331 | $71,957 | $80,734 |
| Home Value To Income | 4.0x | 3.5x | 4.1x |
| Rent To Monthly Income | 0.19x | 0.18x | 0.21x |
Rensselaer, IN Costs By Category
Detailed Rensselaer Services costs vs. Indiana
| Item | Rensselaer | Indiana |
|---|---|---|
| Shampoo | $1.46 | $1.28 |
| Movie | $8.75 | $12.13 |
| Bowling | $18.33 | $18 |
| Haircut | $23.56 | $24.26 |
| Beauty Salon | $42.28 | $45.56 |
Detailed Rensselaer Groceries costs vs. Indiana
| Item | Rensselaer | Indiana |
|---|---|---|
| Ground Beef | $6.31 | $5.84 |
| Fried Chicken | $1.39 | $1.57 |
| Milk | $4.63 | $4.67 |
| Potatoes | $4.96 | $4.93 |
| Pizza | $13.8 | $12.09 |
| Beer | $10.43 | $10.41 |
| Toothpaste | $3.77 | $3.7 |
Detailed Rensselaer Health costs vs. Indiana
| Item | Rensselaer | Indiana |
|---|---|---|
| Optometrist | $93.66 | $125.68 |
| Doctor | $120.22 | $135.78 |
| Dentist | $113.44 | $113.29 |
Detailed Rensselaer Transportation costs vs. Indiana
| Item | Rensselaer | Indiana |
|---|---|---|
| Gasoline | $3.17 | $3.46 |
| Tire Balancing | $61.36 | $59.92 |
Detailed Rensselaer Utilities costs vs. Indiana
| Item | Rensselaer | Indiana |
|---|---|---|
| All Electricity | $157.45 | $193.99 |
| Phone | $197.49 | $192.25 |
Rensselaer SnackAbility
Cost Of Living In Cities Around Rensselaer
The cost of living varies in the cities and towns around Rensselaer. Here's a quick look at the cost of living in the most populous nearby places:
Lansing, IL has a cost of living index of 93, 1.1x Rensselaer.
Homewood, IL has a cost of living index of 100, 1.1x Rensselaer.
Matteson, IL has a cost of living index of 102, 1.2x Rensselaer.
| City | Population | Cost Of Living | Vs. Rensselaer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lansing, IL | 28,284 | 93 | 1.1x |
| Homewood, IL | 19,294 | 100 | 1.1x |
| Matteson, IL | 18,645 | 102 | 1.2x |
| Bourbonnais, IL | 18,078 | 98 | 1.1x |
| Richton Park, IL | 12,521 | 98 | 1.1x |
| Flossmoor, IL | 9,391 | 121 | 1.4x |
| Lynwood, IL | 9,083 | 98 | 1.1x |
| Manteno, IL | 9,030 | 103 | 1.2x |
| Glenwood, IL | 8,603 | 101 | 1.2x |
| Monee, IL | 5,108 | 100 | 1.1x |
