Illinois
95.1
composite · rank #24
- Housing
- 84.7
- Grocery
- 99.2
- Utilities
- 102.6
Compare different states
Q1 2026
Q1 2026Illinois vs Indiana Cost of Living
Indiana has the lower cost of living by 6.8 index points. Compare category indexes and equivalent salaries in both directions.
By Sammy S. · Founder · AuthorUpdated for 2026
Lower cost of living
Indiana is lower
6.8 index points lower. A $100,000 lifestyle in Illinois is roughly $92,850 in Indiana.
Side-by-side cost of living scoreboard
Indiana
88.3
composite · rank #6
- Housing
- 73
- Grocery
- 97.9
- Utilities
- 95.2
Category-by-category comparison
| Category | Illinois | Indiana | Lower cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grocery | 99.2 | 97.9 | Indiana |
| Housing | 84.7 | 73 | Indiana |
| Utilities | 102.6 | 95.2 | Indiana |
| Transportation | 97 | 95.7 | Indiana |
| Health care | 103 | 91.5 | Indiana |
| Misc. goods & services | 98.9 | 93.5 | Indiana |
Grocery
Illinois99.2
Indiana97.9
Lower cost: Indiana
Housing
Illinois84.7
Indiana73
Lower cost: Indiana
Utilities
Illinois102.6
Indiana95.2
Lower cost: Indiana
Transportation
Illinois97
Indiana95.7
Lower cost: Indiana
Health care
Illinois103
Indiana91.5
Lower cost: Indiana
Misc. goods & services
Illinois98.9
Indiana93.5
Lower cost: Indiana
Equivalent salary examples
Salary needed in the destination state to match purchasing power in the origin state.
| Origin salary | Needed in Indiana | Needed in Illinois |
|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $46,425 | $53,851 |
| $75,000 | $69,637 | $80,776 |
| $100,000 | $92,850 | $107,701 |
| $150,000 | $139,274 | $161,552 |
| $250,000 | $232,124 | $269,253 |
$50,000 origin salary
In Indiana$46,425
In Illinois$53,851
$75,000 origin salary
In Indiana$69,637
In Illinois$80,776
$100,000 origin salary
In Indiana$92,850
In Illinois$107,701
$150,000 origin salary
In Indiana$139,274
In Illinois$161,552
Housing gap
Illinois housing is 84.7; Indiana is 73.
Salary planning
$100,000 in Illinois is roughly $92,850 in Indiana.
Statewide averages
Indexes average participating urban areas. Local rents and wages can differ sharply inside either state.
Illinois vs Indiana cost of living FAQs
Indiana has the lower cost of living by 6.8 index points. The composite indexes are 95.1 in Illinois and 88.3 in Indiana (US average = 100).
About $92,850 in Indiana would provide similar statewide purchasing power to $100,000 in Illinois, based on the composite indexes.
About $107,701 in Illinois would provide similar statewide purchasing power to $100,000 in Indiana.
Housing indexes are 84.7 in Illinois and 73 in Indiana. Housing is often the largest driver, but groceries, utilities, transportation, health care, and other goods also matter.
No. These are statewide averages of participating urban areas. Your city, neighborhood, housing choice, family size, and spending mix can produce a very different personal cost of living.
Indiana has the lower average index, but wages, taxes, insurance, schools, and job opportunities should also be compared.
Related tools
Relocation salary calculatorCity COL + equivalent salaryUS paycheck calculatorFederal, state, and FICA take-homeSalary comparison by stateTake-home ladders by stateSales tax by stateCombined state + average local ratesProperty tax by stateEffective rates and homeowner estimatesHomeownership cost by stateACS owner costs and buyer estimatesTotal tax burden by stateIncome, sales, and property togetherState paycheck tax compareSide-by-side state income tax
Compare another pair
Compare any two states
Composite index, category costs, and equivalent-salary examples.
Data period Q1 2026. Statewide urban-area averages; not personal budget calculations.