Indiana

Indiana is about 11% cheaper than the national average. Across the 15 cities we track, the cost of living index averages 89, where 100 is the US average.

Typical rent in Indiana averages $1,240 a month across the 15 cities we track as of September 2026, 36% below the national typical rent of $1,932. That ranks the 8th lowest of 51 states. The figure is the Zillow Observed Rent Index for all home types.

Of the 15 cities we track in Indiana, Fort Wayne has the lowest cost of living index at 78. The lowest typical rent is in Richmond, at $901 a month.

Columbus has the highest cost of living index of the cities we track in Indiana, at 90. The highest typical rent is in Bloomington, at $1,746 a month.

Regular unleaded averages $3.57 a gallon in Indiana as of November 11, 2026 (AAA state average), 10% below the national average of $3.98. That is the 6th cheapest of 51 states.

Rent in Indiana rose an average of 4.4% over the past year across the 15 cities we track, compared with a 2.7% change nationally.

Residential electricity in Indiana averages 17.0 cents per kWh (EIA), versus 18.4 cents nationally. At 900 kWh a month, a typical bill is about $153.

Full coverage car insurance in Indiana averages $1,780 a year, or about $148 a month (Bankrate and NAIC), compared with $2,150 a year nationally. That is near the middle of 51 states.