A+
17%
Overall NAT. AVG.
14%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
36%
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 La Porte Indiana National
Cost of living8390100
Goods & Services8694100
Groceries10098100
Health care8796100
Housing6472100
Transportation9095100
Utilities101107100

An Overview of Cost of Living in La Porte, IN

Getting a feel for the cost of living in La Porte 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 La Porte is 83, which is 17% 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 La Porte, 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 La Porte?

When it comes to knowing a city, its residents are the experts. We conducted a survey with 12 locals to understand their opinions on the cost of living in La Porte. The results indicated that 50% found it reasonably priced with decreasing prices of goods and services, while 50% viewed it as quite expensive, with increasing prices.

Is La Porte Affordable?

Is La Porte affordable? It's a key consideration when pondering a move, as affordability often shapes your choices. The cost of living index (we discussed it earlier), coupled with housing costs and income levels, serves as the cornerstone for determining a location's affordability. Take La Porte, for instance, where the median home price falls 41.2% lower than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 24.8% lower than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with La Porte flaunting a median household income of $42,057, 24% lower than the national norm.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in La Porte?

Urbanization: Larger, urban hubs brimming with ample amenities and robust employment opportunities often showcase a heightened cost of living. This surge is primarily attributed to the amplified demand for services and increased residential migration, culminating in elevated home prices and elevated rental rates. Conversely, less densely populated rural locales or regions characterized by reduced demand tend to offer a more limited array of amenities and undergo slower job market growth, ultimately yielding a more affordable cost of living.

Utilities: Similar to the prices of any goods or services, utility expenses can fluctuate widely, contingent on variables such as climate, available energy sources, geographical location and state regulations. Costs associated with electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can differ in magnitude, depending on the specific city or state. In La Porte, the utilities index registers at 1.4% higher than the national average.

Housing: When there's a high demand for housing in trendy places, it can cause property prices and rental rates to soar, leading to a significantly higher cost of living. Conversely, in less desirable locations, where demand is low, prices tend to decrease, resulting in a more budget-friendly cost of living. In La Porte, the housing index is 36.3% lower than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living data in La Porte 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 La Porte is 7% lower than the Indiana average
  • The cost of living in La Porte is 17% lower than the national average
  • La Porte housing is 36% lower than the national average
  • Indiana general sales tax is 37% higher than the national average
  • Indiana state income tax is 43% higher than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around La Porte

See all the best places to live around La Porte

Compare La Porte, 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$53,435$4,453$1,247$1,603
      Renters$30,048$2,504$701$902
      A good way to judge both the affordability of the housing and the cost of living in La Porte is by simply calculating the maximum that should be spent on housing, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). The plan is to avoid spending more than 28 percent of the gross income on costs that pertain to housing and no more than 36 percent on all expenses and debts. La Porte has a median income of about $53,435 for people who own homes. Based on that number, a maximum of $1,247 should be spent on expenses related to housing. Renters have a slightly different median income, which is $30,048. Based on this average, renters should spend no more than $701 on all rental costs if they want to maintain a non-impoverished standard of living.

      Indiana Sales Tax

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

      Indiana Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Indiana 3.23% 3.23%

      Goods & Services

      Item La Porte 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 La Porte 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 La Porte 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 La Porte National avg. Difference
      Home Price $108,600.00$184,700.0041.2%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,868.87$2,346.6920.4%
      Apartment Rent $714.00$949.0024.8%

      Transportation

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

      Utilities

      Item La Porte 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.
      Kingsford Heights, IN1,3817821.9%
      Hudson Lake, IN1,2858020.1%
      Koontz Lake, IN1,3688217.9%
      Michigan City, IN31,1918217.9%
      Galien, MI4498217.7%
      La Porte, IN21,3288316.8%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Mountlake Terrace, WA21,32814746.5%
      Montclair, VA21,32914444.2%
      Cartersville, GA21,3311010.6%
      Selden, NY21,33813535.1%
      Bellview, FL21,314927.7%
      La Porte, IN21,3288316.8%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.