What is the cost of living in Valparaiso, IN?
According to the most recent data on the cost of living, Valparaiso has an overall cost of living index of 96, which is 1.0x lower than the national index of 100.
Compared to Indiana, Valparaiso has a cost of living index that's 1.1x higher than Indiana's index of 90.
The standard of living in Valparaiso ranks as #99 most affordable out of the 129 places we measured in Indiana. By definition, that implies Valparaiso ranks as the #30 most expensive place in the Hoosier State.
For more reading on life in Valparaiso, check out:
Valparaiso Cost Of Living Vs. Indiana
Six factors go into calculating the cost of living index in Valparaiso. Here is how it fares on each of the criteria:
The Services index in Valparaiso is 98.
The Groceries index in Valparaiso is 95.
The Health index in Valparaiso is 100.
The Housing index in Valparaiso is 95.
The Transportation index in Valparaiso is 96.
The Utilities index in Valparaiso is 94.
| Living Expense | Valparaiso | Indiana | National Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 96 | 90 | 100 |
| Services | 98 | 97 | 100 |
| Groceries | 95 | 95 | 100 |
| Health | 100 | 72 | 100 |
| Housing | 95 | 98 | 100 |
| Transportation | 96 | 94 | 100 |
| Utilities | 94 | 96 | 100 |
Valparaiso 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 Valparaiso Get matched →Source: Cost-of-living index 2026, normalized to US average = 100
Valparaiso, 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 Valparaiso is $355,844.
The Median Rent in Valparaiso is $1,224.
The Median Income in Valparaiso is $69,872.
The Home Value To Income in Valparaiso is 5.1x.
The Rent To Monthly Income in Valparaiso is 0.21x.
| Statistic | Valparaiso | Indiana | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $355,844 | $254,121 | $332,700 |
| Median Rent | $1,224 | $1,062 | $1,413 |
| Median Income | $69,872 | $71,957 | $80,734 |
| Home Value To Income | 5.1x | 3.5x | 4.1x |
| Rent To Monthly Income | 0.21x | 0.18x | 0.21x |
Valparaiso, IN Costs By Category
Detailed Valparaiso Services costs vs. Indiana
| Item | Valparaiso | 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 Valparaiso Groceries costs vs. Indiana
| Item | Valparaiso | 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 Valparaiso Health costs vs. Indiana
| Item | Valparaiso | Indiana |
|---|---|---|
| Optometrist | $118.27 | $125.68 |
| Doctor | $167.67 | $135.78 |
| Dentist | $128.22 | $113.29 |
Detailed Valparaiso Transportation costs vs. Indiana
| Item | Valparaiso | Indiana |
|---|---|---|
| Gasoline | $3.56 | $3.46 |
| Tire Balancing | $70.87 | $59.92 |
Detailed Valparaiso Utilities costs vs. Indiana
| Item | Valparaiso | Indiana |
|---|---|---|
| All Electricity | $148.58 | $193.99 |
| Phone | $210.03 | $192.25 |
Valparaiso SnackAbility
Cost Of Living In Cities Around Valparaiso
The cost of living varies in the cities and towns around Valparaiso. Here's a quick look at the cost of living in the most populous nearby places:
Gary, IN has a cost of living index of 81, 0.8x Valparaiso.
Portage, IN has a cost of living index of 96, 1.0x Valparaiso.
Merrillville, IN has a cost of living index of 92, 1.0x Valparaiso.
| City | Population | Cost Of Living | Vs. Valparaiso |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gary, IN | 68,113 | 81 | 0.8x |
| Portage, IN | 38,082 | 96 | 1.0x |
| Merrillville, IN | 36,476 | 92 | 1.0x |
| Crown Point, IN | 34,393 | 103 | 1.1x |
| Hobart, IN | 29,558 | 95 | 1.0x |
| La Porte, IN | 22,449 | 85 | 0.9x |
| Griffith, IN | 16,273 | 95 | 1.0x |
| Chesterton, IN | 14,446 | 98 | 1.0x |
| Lake Station, IN | 13,185 | 84 | 0.9x |
| Lakes of the Four Seasons, IN | 7,402 | 109 | 1.1x |
