| Index | St. John | Indiana | National |
| Cost of living | 109 | 89 | 100 |
| Groceries | 95 | 97 | 100 |
| Health care | 98 | 97 | 100 |
| Housing | 139 | 72 | 100 |
| Transportation | 95 | 96 | 100 |
| Utilities | 93 | 96 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 98 | 95 | 100 |
| Household Items | 96 | 98 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 97 | 94 | 100 |

The cost of living in St. John 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 St. John is 109, which is 9% higher than the national average. Knowledge of the cost of living can help individuals make informed decisions about retirement savings, investments, and financial goals.
The cost of living in St. John is about average when compared to all other cities across the nation. You can expect that everyday items like food, household expenses and utility bills will be no more expensive than any other average city. Residents can anticipate living expenses that remain in line with the national average, ensuring a manageable financial burden, making it an attractive choice for those seeking affordability without the constraints of higher everyday expenditures.
Housing costs significantly influence the St. John cost of living index, typically accounting for a substantial portion of one's post-tax income. Regrettably, within this particular region, expenses related to both residential ownership and renting exceeded those observed in an average city by 38.7%. This entails elements such as housing and rental prices, mortgage interest rates and insurance costs.
Is St. John affordable? This is a pivotal question, especially when mulling over a move, as affordability carries substantial weight in your decision-making process. Factors such as the cost of living index (discussed earlier), housing expenses and income levels all contribute to a location's affordability. For instance, in St. John, the median home price is 55.5% higher than the national average and monthly rent prices are 0.6% lower than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with St. John boasting a median household income of $156,293, 92.2% higher than the national average.
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.
Healthcare: Healthcare costs and insurance premiums can fluctuate greatly based on the city or state. Access to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor\’s visits, dentist costs, medication costs and specialized care costs can all impact the cost of living. In St. John, the healthcare costs are 2.3% lower than the national average.
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 St. John, the groceries index registers 4.9% lower than the national average.
The St. John cost of living data above is designed around a U.S. average baseline of 100, allowing for easy comparisons of relative living costs. Housing incorporates U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other figures are AI-assisted estimates that account for regional price trends, climate, transportation dynamics, and common everyday expenses. These values are best used as 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 | $153,690 | $12,808 | $3,586 | $4,611 |
| Renters | $129,273 | $10,773 | $3,016 | $3,879 |
| 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. |
| Ford Heights, IL | 2,801 | 83 | 16.6% |
| East Chicago, IN | 28,835 | 82 | 17.8% |
| Gary, IN | 77,151 | 81 | 19.3% |
| Phoenix, IL | 1,450 | 85 | 14.6% |
| Dixmoor, IL | 3,663 | 87 | 12.6% |
| St. John, IN | 18,872 | 109 | 8.7% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| White Oak, OH | 18,862 | 93 | 7.1% |
| Oak Bay, BC | 18,885 | n/a | |
| San Carlos Park, FL | 18,854 | 111 | 11.0% |
| Rutherford, NJ | 18,891 | 146 | 46.1% |
| Maumelle, AR | 18,898 | 100 | 0.1% |
| St. John, IN | 18,872 | 109 | 8.7% |