| Index | Decatur | Indiana | National |
| Cost of living | 86 | 89 | 100 |
| Groceries | 98 | 97 | 100 |
| Health care | 95 | 97 | 100 |
| Housing | 60 | 72 | 100 |
| Transportation | 100 | 96 | 100 |
| Utilities | 95 | 96 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 95 | 95 | 100 |
| Household Items | 100 | 98 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 95 | 94 | 100 |

Understanding the cost of living in Decatur can help future residents assess whether their current financial situation aligns with the expenses they will encounter. It enables them to plan for potential changes in their budget and lifestyle. The Decatur cost of living index is 86, which is 14% lower than the national average. The cost of living index is calculated by taking into account multiple categories, which encompass both the cost of everyday expenditures and larger expenses as well.
Housing expenses often consume a significant portion of your net income, occasionally surpassing 30%. Fortunately, housing costs in Decatur are 40.2% below the national average. This highlights the region's exceptional affordability for both homeownership and rentals in comparison to the rest of the country. This favorable housing situation allows residents to allocate a more reasonable fraction of their income to housing, resulting in enhanced financial flexibility and improved overall financial well-being.
Wondering if Decatur 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 Decatur, for example, the median home price is 42.1% lower than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 35.7% lower than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Decatur boasting a median household income of $68,003, which is 16.4% lower than the national average.
Healthcare: Healthcare expenditures and insurance premium rates can vary significantly, contingent upon the particular city or state. Factors such as the accessibility of healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor's appointments, dental care charges, prescription medication costs, and expenses related to specialized medical care can all have an impact on the overall cost of living. In Decatur, healthcare costs are 5.3% lower than the national average.
Housing: High demand for housing in desirable locations can drive up property prices and rental rates. This can be a primary contributor to a higher cost of living. While low demand for housing, especially in undesirable locations, can have the reverse effect and drive prices down, resulting in a lower cost of living. The housing index in Decatur, is 40.2% lower than the national average.
Groceries: Grocery prices have seen substantial hikes in the last 2-3 years, with some markets witnessing food cost increases of over 20% during this period. Conversely, certain markets have experienced only moderate upticks. These variations in food expenses can have a substantial impact on the overall cost of living in any locality. In Decatur, the groceries index is 1.8% lower than the national average.
The Decatur cost of living data displayed above uses a U.S. average baseline of 100 to provide a practical way to compare living expenses across cities. Housing estimates incorporate U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other values are generated using AI-assisted models based on everyday expense expectations, regional pricing trends, climate, transportation patterns, and local economic conditions. These values are designed for directional city-to-city comparisons.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $81,175 | $6,765 | $1,894 | $2,435 |
| Renters | $46,999 | $3,917 | $1,097 | $1,410 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Indiana | 7% | 7% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Indiana | 3.15% | 3.15% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Wren, OH | 191 | 80 | 20.4% |
| Willshire, OH | 356 | 81 | 18.6% |
| Vera Cruz, IN | 69 | 83 | 17.3% |
| Convoy, OH | 1,135 | 83 | 16.9% |
| Monroeville, IN | 1,355 | 85 | 15.1% |
| Decatur, IN | 10,024 | 86 | 14.1% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Corte Madera, CA | 10,023 | 254 | 153.9% |
| Hamburg, NY | 10,025 | 106 | 5.8% |
| Richmond Heights, FL | 10,026 | 111 | 11.4% |
| Yarmouth, NS | 10,021 | n/a | |
| Uniontown, PA | 10,028 | 82 | 18.1% |
| Decatur, IN | 10,024 | 86 | 14.1% |