A+
16%
Overall NAT. AVG.
14%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
34%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Mishawaka Indiana National
Cost of living8490100
Goods & Services8694100
Groceries10098100
Health care8796100
Housing6672100
Transportation9095100
Utilities101107100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Mishawaka, IN

Getting a feel for the cost of living in Mishawaka is essential for anyone planning to relocate, as it empowers them to make informed financial decisions, secure a comfortable lifestyle and maintain financial stability in their new environment. The cost of living in Mishawaka is 84, which is 16% lower than the national average. Relocating individuals may need to adjust their savings and investment strategies based on the cost of living in the new location. It influences decisions about retirement planning, investments and financial goals.

Everyday items like clothes, personal care products and fun activities all add up to what it costs to live. The thing is, in Mishawaka, these goods and services are 13.8% cheaper than what people pay on average across the country. That means you can enjoy what you need and like without going broke. With these savings, you can stash more cash in your savings or use it for other money goals, which can really boost your financial health.

What Do Locals Say About the Cost of Living in Mishawaka?

The most insightful perspective on a city comes from its residents. We recently surveyed 6 locals to gauge their perception of the cost of living in Mishawaka. The feedback revealed that 83% of respondents found the cost of living to be reasonable, with prices on the decline, while 17% regarded it as notably expensive with prices that continue to rise.

Is Mishawaka Affordable?

Is Mishawaka an affordable place to live? That's a valid question to ask when you're thinking about moving to a new city. After all, how much it costs to live somewhere can be a huge factor in your decision. Affordability can be broken down into 3 common categories. The cost of living index (we talked about it earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a big role in figuring out if a place is affordable. For instance, in Mishawaka, the median home price is 42.7% lower than what most folks pay across the country, and monthly rent prices are 13.3% lower than the usual rates. Income levels in Mishawaka come in at $44,792, which is 19% lower than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Mishawaka?

Subsidies: Certain cities or states may implement government subsidies or assistance programs with the goal of alleviating the cost of living pressures on their residents. These programs encompass a broad spectrum of support mechanisms, including Medicare, Medicaid, housing subsidies, low-income home energy assistance programs, school lunch programs, supplemental nutrition assistance programs, student loans, electric vehicle tax credits, affordable care act subsidies and farming subsidies. Areas offering fewer subsidies may experience a rise in their cost of living.

Utilities: Much like any other costs, utility expenses can exhibit considerable variations, influenced by factors such as climate, available energy sources, geographic location and state regulations. The costs associated with electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can vary significantly depending on the city or state in question. In Mishawaka, the utilities index stands at 1.4% higher than the national average.

Healthcare: The costs associated with healthcare and insurance premiums can exhibit notable disparities based on the city or state of residence. Access to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for medical appointments, dental care charges, prescription medication costs and specialized medical care expenses all contribute to variations in the cost of living. In Mishawaka, healthcare costs are 12.7% lower than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living data in Mishawaka displayed above is sourced from the C2ER cost of living index, which serves as a practical tool for comparing living expenses across urban areas. Published on a quarterly basis, this index aggregates data from over 300 independent researchers, encompassing more than 60 goods and services, in 6 different categories. The weightings assigned to cost differences rely on government survey data that tracks the spending habits of professional and executive households. It's worth noting that the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, while AreaVibes integrates tax rates into the overall cost of living evaluation for each region.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Mishawaka is 6% lower than the Indiana average
  • The cost of living in Mishawaka is 16% lower than the national average
  • Mishawaka housing is 34% lower than the national average
  • Indiana general sales tax is 37% higher than the national average
  • Indiana state income tax is 21% higher than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Mishawaka

See all the best places to live around Mishawaka

Compare Mishawaka, IN Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$59,534$4,961$1,389$1,786
      Renters$32,962$2,747$769$989
      To approximate the cost of living and the housing affordability in Mishawaka, IN, we can look at the percentage of income that is available to be spent on monthly housing, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). To stay on the safe side, a consumer should not spend more than 28% of his or her gross income on housing-related expenses and costs and not more than 36% of income on all expenses and debts. Homeowners in Mishawaka have a median income of $59,534. Therefore, the amount that a consumer should spend on housing costs should be no more than $1,389 per month to avoid calamity and poverty. The renters in the city have an income of about $32,962, which would make their monthly maximum allowable rental costs $769.

      Indiana Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Indiana 7% 7%

      Indiana Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Indiana 3.15% 3.15%

      Goods & Services

      Item Mishawaka National avg. Difference
      Haircut $20.78$24.2614.4%
      Beauty Salon $52.07$45.5614.3%
      Toothpaste $3.66$3.701.1%
      Shampoo $1.34$1.284.6%
      Movie $13.08$12.137.8%
      Bowling $10.44$18.0042.0%

      Groceries

      Item Mishawaka National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $6.31$5.848.0%
      Fried Chicken $1.62$1.573.0%
      Milk $4.83$4.673.3%
      Potatoes $4.96$4.930.4%
      Pizza $11.04$12.098.7%
      Beer $9.65$10.417.3%

      Health Care

      Item Mishawaka National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $132.22$125.685.2%
      Doctor $117.36$135.7813.6%
      Dentist $99.95$113.2911.8%
      Ibuprofen $10.40$10.652.4%
      Lipitor $356.34$468.6024.0%

      Housing

      Item Mishawaka National avg. Difference
      Home Price $105,800.00$184,700.0042.7%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,868.87$2,346.6920.4%
      Apartment Rent $823.00$949.0013.3%

      Transportation

      Item Mishawaka National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.38$3.462.4%
      Tire Balancing $42.17$59.9229.6%

      Utilities

      Item Mishawaka National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $199.24$193.992.7%
      Phone $190.02$192.251.2%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      La Paz, IN6298019.9%
      Niles, MI11,1688019.7%
      Lakeville, IN7658118.6%
      South Bend, IN102,6868218.2%
      Elkhart, IN52,6578217.5%
      Mishawaka, IN49,6758416.1%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      West Lafayette, IN49,6681054.9%
      North Bethesda, MD49,71916060.3%
      Azusa, CA49,58414545.3%
      Poway, CA49,78017776.7%
      Kannapolis, NC49,788936.8%
      Mishawaka, IN49,6758416.1%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.