B-
12%
Overall NAT. AVG.
10%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
27%
Housing NAT. AVG.
Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2025 and was released from C2ER in January, 2026; 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 Dyer Indiana National
Cost of living11290100
Goods & Services11095100
Groceries10499100
Health care11699100
Housing12772100
Transportation104101100
Utilities9595100
Does this Area Fit Your Budget? Local Insights Report
  • Know the community before you call it home
  • Compare multiple areas side by side
  • Access over 300 data points for any address
Local Insights Report

An Overview of Cost of Living in Dyer, IN

The cost of living in Dyer affects the quality of life one can afford in this new location. It allows people to assess whether they can maintain their preferred lifestyle, including housing, leisure activities and dining options. Your total monthly expenditures can varry depending on the area, as well as many other factors. The cost of living in Dyer is 112, which is 12% higher than the national average. Knowledge of the cost of living can help individuals make informed decisions about retirement savings, investments, and financial goals.

Housing costs are a very significant part of the Dyer cost of living index and generally encompass a large percentage of take-home income. Unfortunately, in this area, the housing costs for both homes and rentals were 26.8% more than the average city. This includes things like home and rent prices, mortgage rates and insurance.

The things you purchase regularly, like clothes, haircuts, movie tickets and gym memberships, can make a big dent in your budget and make up 33% of the cost of living index. Unfortunately in Dyer, these items will cost you 10.2% more than what's considered the norm, making it a more expensive place to call home.

Is Dyer Affordable?

Wondering if Dyer 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 Dyer, for example, the median home price is 28% higher than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 24.1% higher than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Dyer boasting a median household income of $125,914, which is 54.8% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Dyer?

Taxes: Cities that enforce higher taxes, covering both sales taxes and income taxes, can be a factor contributing to a higher cost of living. Paying more in taxes for everyday essentials like clothing and food inevitably leads to higher expenses. A higher income tax rate can further contribute to an overall elevated cost of living. In Dyer, the baseline sales tax rate begins at 7%, and income tax rates start at 3.15%.

Utilities: Like everything else, utilities costs can range significantly depending on factors like climate, energy sources available, location and even state regulations. Things like electricity, water, heating and waste disposal costs can be higher or lower, depending on the city or state. The utilities index in Dyer comes in at 5.5% lower than the national average.

Transportation: In areas where public transportation is scarce or unavailable, residents often find themselves compelled to own and upkeep vehicles, thereby increasing the overall cost of living. Monthly expenses encompass fuel, insurance, routine maintenance and potentially lease or financing payments. In Dyer, the transportation index is 4.3% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The Dyer 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. Published on a quarterly basis, it compiles data from more than 300 independent researchers, encompassing over 60 goods and services. These items have been meticulously selected to represent various consumer expenditure categories, in 6 categories. Weightings assigned to cost differentials draw from government survey data tracking spending patterns among professional and executive households. While the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, AreaVibes incorporates tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each region.

Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Dyer is 26% higher than the Indiana average
  • The cost of living in Dyer is 12% higher than the national average
  • Dyer housing is 27% higher 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 Dyer

See all the best places to live around Dyer

Compare Dyer, IN Cost of Living

City Image
    City Default Image
      vs
      Compare Neighborhoods & Addresses Local Insights Report

      Why stop at city-to-city? With Local Insights, you can compare neighborhoods, zip codes, or even exact addresses. Access 300+ hyperlocal data points—from schools and crime to housing and amenities—to see which area is the better fit.

      Local Insights Report
      How would you rate the cost of living in Dyer?
      Write a review to give others more information about this area.
      Is the cost of living increasing or decreasing in Dyer?
      Write a review to give others more information about this area.
      See all Dyer poll results

      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$139,933$11,661$3,265$4,198
      Renters$0$0$0$0
      The percent of monthly income spent on housing can be a good indicator of the affordability of housing in Dyer, 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 Dyer homeowners, is $139,933. This would allow for a maximum of $3,265 per month to be spent on housing costs. For renters, the median monthly income is $0 which would result in a maximum of $0 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 Dyer National avg. Difference
      Haircut $49.08$27.6277.7%
      Beauty Salon $68.42$51.1133.9%
      Toothpaste $4.13$4.090.9%
      Shampoo $1.56$1.541.2%
      Movie $17.42$12.8835.3%
      Yoga $28.87$19.6646.8%

      Groceries

      Item Dyer National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $7.53$7.702.3%
      Fried Chicken $1.56$1.666.2%
      Milk $4.88$4.733.1%
      Potatoes $5.20$5.261.1%
      Pizza $13.97$12.769.5%
      Beer $10.56$10.550.1%

      Health Care

      Item Dyer National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $208.97$140.0649.2%
      Doctor $194.67$153.8226.6%
      Dentist $135.44$123.1510.0%
      Ibuprofen $12.22$11.734.2%
      Lipitor $24.14$23.612.2%

      Housing

      Item Dyer National avg. Difference
      Home Price $418,034.00$326,622.0028.0%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,929.74$2,480.2518.1%
      Apartment Rent $1,792.00$1,444.0024.1%

      Transportation

      Item Dyer National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.20$3.064.7%
      Tire Balancing $67.63$65.213.7%

      Utilities

      Item Dyer National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $188.44$220.1214.4%
      Phone $213.97$195.719.3%
      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.
      Ford Heights, IL2,8018712.5%
      East Chicago, IN28,8358910.8%
      Gary, IN77,1519010.4%
      Phoenix, IL1,4509010.0%
      Dixmoor, IL3,663918.7%
      Dyer, IN16,41711212.4%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Hibbing, MN16,4178811.6%
      Indianola, IA16,415918.7%
      Walnut Park, CA16,42614444.4%
      Spanish Springs, NV16,40713030.0%
      Crawfordsville, IN16,4278712.7%
      Dyer, IN16,41711212.4%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2025 and was released from C2ER in January, 2026; this is the most current data available.