A+
16%
Overall NAT. AVG.
5%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
48%
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 Muncie Indiana National
Cost of living8490100
Goods & Services9694100
Groceries9698100
Health care9696100
Housing5272100
Transportation9595100
Utilities113107100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Muncie, IN

Getting a feel for the cost of living in Muncie 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 Muncie 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.

Housing expenses can absorb a substantial portion of your net income, sometimes exceeding 30%. Thankfully, Muncie stands out by reporting housing costs that are 48.4% lower than the national average. This signifies that both homeownership and rental expenses in this region are considerably more budget-friendly compared to the rest of the country. With such favorable housing affordability, residents of Muncie can allocate a more reasonable portion of their income to housing, allowing for greater financial flexibility.

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

Locals have the inside scoop on their city. So, we polled 5 residents in Muncie to learn how they view the cost of living. We asked how they felt about the cost of living in their area, and if they thought that prices were increasing, decreasing or staying the same. The verdict? 60% find it reasonable with decreasing prices, but 40% think it's quite pricey, with prices that continue to rise.

Is Muncie Affordable?

Wondering if Muncie is affordable? It's a question that often comes up when you're thinking about a new city since affordability can really shape your decisions. The cost of living index (covered earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a part in the affordability equation. In Muncie, for example, the median home price is 58.6% lower than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 24.8% lower than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Muncie boasting a median household income of $34,602, which is 37.5% lower than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Muncie?

Subsidies: Certain cities or states may institute government subsidies or assistance programs designed to alleviate the financial burdens associated with the cost of living for their residents. These programs encompass a variety 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 farm subsidies. Areas that provide fewer subsidies may see an uptick in their overall cost of living.

Groceries: Grocery expenditures have undergone notable escalation over the last 2-3 years. In some markets, the cost of food products has surged by more than 20%, while others have experienced only modest increments. These fluctuations in food costs can have a significant impact on the overall cost of living in any region. In Muncie, the groceries index registers 4% lower than the national average.

Transportation: In cities with limited or no public transportation, residents may find it necessary to own and maintain vehicles, thereby elevating the cost of living. Monthly expenditures include fuel, insurance, routine maintenance and potential lease or financing commitments. In Muncie, the transportation index stands at 5% lower than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The Muncie cost of living data displayed above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index to provide a useful and reasonably accurate measure of living cost differences in urban areas. The index takes into account data from 300 independent researches, covering more than 60 goods and services across 6 different categories, to create an overall index for each area, with 100 being the average. The C2ER index does not include sales or income tax rates in their data, however AreaVibes does include both income and sales tax rates in the overall cost of living score for each area.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Muncie is 6% lower than the Indiana average
  • The cost of living in Muncie is 16% lower than the national average
  • Muncie housing is 48% 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 Muncie

See all the best places to live around Muncie

Compare Muncie, 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$52,647$4,387$1,228$1,580
      Renters$22,513$1,876$525$675
      The percent of monthly income spent on housing can be a good indicator of the affordability of housing in Muncie, IN, as well as the overall cost of living. As a general rule of thumb, the debt-to-income ratio (DTI) for homeowners or renters should be not more than 28 percent of gross income to be spent on housing related costs and not more than 36 percent of income on all expenses, including debts. The median income for Muncie homeowners, is $52,647. This would allow for a maximum of $1,228 per month to be spent on housing costs. For renters, the median monthly income is $22,513 which would result in a maximum of $525 to be spent on rental costs.

      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 Muncie National avg. Difference
      Haircut $16.50$24.2632.0%
      Beauty Salon $30.94$45.5632.1%
      Toothpaste $3.69$3.700.4%
      Shampoo $1.30$1.281.1%
      Movie $11.69$12.133.6%
      Bowling $11.24$18.0037.6%

      Groceries

      Item Muncie National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.74$5.841.8%
      Fried Chicken $1.39$1.5711.7%
      Milk $4.59$4.671.8%
      Potatoes $4.88$4.931.0%
      Pizza $12.18$12.090.8%
      Beer $9.64$10.417.4%

      Health Care

      Item Muncie National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $138.77$125.6810.4%
      Doctor $101.43$135.7825.3%
      Dentist $122.83$113.298.4%
      Ibuprofen $10.19$10.654.3%
      Lipitor $475.45$468.601.5%

      Housing

      Item Muncie National avg. Difference
      Home Price $76,500.00$184,700.0058.6%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,324.56$2,346.6943.6%
      Apartment Rent $714.00$949.0024.8%

      Transportation

      Item Muncie National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.51$3.461.4%
      Tire Balancing $47.59$59.9220.6%

      Utilities

      Item Muncie National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $236.28$193.9921.8%
      Phone $189.86$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.
      Blountsville, IN837822.2%
      Redkey, IN1,4938118.6%
      Dunkirk, IN1,9238218.1%
      Losantville, IN2588217.9%
      Eaton, IN1,9598217.6%
      Muncie, IN67,7398415.9%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Rogers, AR67,787991.5%
      Waterloo, IA67,6718218.0%
      Mount Vernon, NY67,62313737.4%
      Palatine, IL67,87511717.0%
      Gaithersburg, MD67,87813838.0%
      Muncie, IN67,7398415.9%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.