Moving to Indiana? 2024 Living Costs & Relocation Tips

Indiana is situated in the Midwestern region of the United States, and was the 19th state as admitted in 1816. The state is flanked by bodies of water, including Lake Michigan, the Ohio River and Wabash River. 

If you are considering moving to Indiana, the various costs listed below will help you make an informed decision on what costs are involved.

Quick Indiana Facts:

1. Population: 6.806 million (2021)
2. Official Language: English
3. GDP Per Capita: $57,930 (2022)
4. Random Fact: Indiana is one of the leading producers of corn, soybeans, poultry and popcorn
5. Currency: US Dollar (US$). As of early 2023, £1 = $1.20, €1 = $1.07, $1 CAD = $0.74, $1 AUD = $0.68 

1. Moving and Shipping Costs to Indiana

State	Estimated Moving Cost to Indiana
California	USD 2,500 – 4,500
Texas	USD 2,000 – 4,000
Florida	USD 2,500 – 4,500
New York	USD 2,000 – 3,500
Pennsylvania	USD 1,500 – 3,000
Illinois	USD 1,000 – 2,500
Ohio	USD 1,000 – 2,000
Georgia	USD 2,000 – 3,500
North Carolina	USD 1,500 – 3,000
Michigan	USD 1,000 – 2,500

These estimates are approximate and can vary based on specific requirements and services needed. For precise quotes, it’s best to contact moving companies directly. ​

2. Indiana Housing Costs

The cost of renting or purchasing a home in Indiana can vary widely depending on the location. In general, home prices are lower in downtown areas of cities like Indianapolis, while prices are higher in suburban areas or upscale neighbourhoods. Rental prices also follow a similar pattern, with downtown areas being more affordable than suburbs or upscale neighbourhoods.

Monthly Rental Prices in Indiana:

• 1 bedroom flat (apartment) in City Centre: $1,300+
• 1 bedroom flat outside the City Centre: $1,000+
• 3 bedroom flat in City Centre: $2,475+
• 3 bedroom flat outside the City Centre: $1,585+ 

Indiana Home Purchase Prices:

• Price per square metre (10.7 square feet) to buy in City Centre: $2,260+
• Price per square metre (10.7 square feet) to buy outside City: $1,290+

Indiana Housing Cost Comparison:

This is how rents in Indiana compare with other cities around the globe.

• London is 47.6% more expensive
• New York is 63.9% more expensive 
• Los Angeles is 50.1% more expensive 
• Toronto is 26.8% more expensive 
• Sydney is 36.6% more expensive 
• Paris is 17.2% more expensive 
• Dubai is 25.8% more expensive 

Source: Numbeo

How to Save on Housing Costs:

• Share a Flat or House: Sharing a house or a flat is a way to save on living expenses. You may have to share a bathroom but you will save at the end of the day. A cheaper option is to share a room. Have a look at the following site to find your perfect room or flatmate: iRoommates, Roomies.
• Different Areas – Different Prices: Indiana offers a range of options for renting or purchasing homes, with prices varying significantly depending on location. Generally, properties in downtown areas of cities like Indianapolis are more affordable than those in suburban areas or upscale neighbourhoods. For instance, the median home price in downtown Indianapolis is approximately $225,000, while the median price in the affluent suburb of Carmel is around $380,000, reflecting the higher property value of the latter.

3. Indiana Food, Grocery and Restaurant Costs

Indiana is known for its rich culinary heritage, with a variety of regional specialities and food trends. The state’s culinary scene has recently been trending towards locally sourced and farm-to-table dining options, with craft breweries and artisanal distilleries also gaining popularity.

Some of the famous foods to be aware of in Indiana include Hoosier sugar cream pie, breaded pork tenderloin sandwiches, and popcorn, as Indiana is one of the top popcorn-producing states in the country.

• Inexpensive Restaurant: $20.00
•  Takeout Coffee: $4.20
•  Bottle of Coke: $1.70
•  1L of Milk: $0.80
•  Loaf of Bread: $2.80
•  12 Eggs: $2.00
•  1kg Chicken: $12.80
•  1kg Beef: $14.10
•  1kg Apples: $5.00
•  1kg White Rice: $3.90

This is how restaurants and food prices compare with other major cities in the world.

• London restaurants are 9.9% more expensive and groceries are 20.3% cheaper than Indiana.
• New York restaurants are 22.9% more expensive and groceries are 30.4% more expensive than Indiana.
• Los Angeles restaurants are 17.7% more expensive and groceries are 11.6% more expensive than Indiana.
• Toronto restaurants are 2.1% cheaper and groceries are 0.9% cheaper than Indiana. 
• Sydney restaurants are 3% more expensive and groceries are 17.7% more expensive than Indiana.
• Paris restaurants are 8.1% cheaper and groceries are 10.2% more expensive than Indiana.
• Dubai restaurants are 7.8% cheaper and groceries are 41.6% cheaper than Indiana.

Source: Numbeo

Bonus Tips for Cheaper Food, Restaurants and Groceries:

• Know Your Supermarkets: Indiana has a thriving farmers’ market scene, with several markets throughout the state offering a range of fresh, locally grown produce and artisanal products. In terms of supermarkets, there is a range of affordable and expensive options available in Indiana, with grocery chains such as Kroger and Meijer offering a mix of affordable and high-end options, and speciality stores like Whole Foods catering to higher-end shoppers.
• Find Cheap Eats: Indiana has a good selection of restaurants which offer food at affordable prices. Have a look at Trip Advisor and Wanderlog.

4. Indiana Alcohol Costs

Indiana, like all cities in the United States, has plenty of bars and clubs to choose from, whether you want a quick beer after work or a cocktail before dinner.

• Pint (0.6L) domestic beer at a restaurant/pub: $5.00
• Bottle of imported beer at a restaurant/pub: $6.00
• Pint (0.6L) domestic beer at a supermarket: $3.00
• Bottle of imported beer at a supermarket: $4.30
• Mid-range bottle of wine at a supermarket: $12.50

How To Drink For Less in Indiana:

• Keep an eye on the local papers and websites for specials over weekends and public holidays.

5. Indiana Transportation Fares

Public transportation in Indiana varies by location, with some cities and towns offering more robust transit systems than others. The largest city in Indiana, Indianapolis, has a bus rapid transit system called IndyGo, which provides transportation throughout the city and its suburbs, while other cities may have smaller-scale bus or rail systems.

Here are some sample ticket costs:

• Adult single – $1.75
• One-day ticket – $5.00
• Monthly season ticket, unlimited – $60.00

How To Save Money on Public Transport:

• Buy a bike. Depending on where you live and work, cycling around the city is certainly a viable option. 
• Walk. If you live relatively close to where you work, you can walk to work.

6. Cost of Internet in Indiana

Internet prices in the States are expensive compared with many other countries in the world. Here are some sample broadband internet prices from early 2023 for unlimited downloads, based on a 12-month contract:

• Sprint: $50 a month (Unlimited high speed except for streaming gaming up to 8mb)
• AT & T: $20 a month (50mb fibre)
• Verizon: $80 a month 

7. Cost of Clothing, Personal Items, Gym and Leisure

Here are some clothing prices, together with other useful prices.

• Pair of Jeans: $45.00
• Summer Dress: $33.00
• Running Shoes (Trainers): $75.00 
• Business Shoes: $87.00
• Short Doctor’s Visit (15 mins): $105.00
• Deodorant: $4.80
• Shampoo: $4.80
• Toilet Paper (4 rolls): $4.70
• Gym Membership: $45.00
• Movie (cinema) Ticket: $12.00

Source: Numbeo, Expatistan

8. Cost of Owning a Car and Driving a Car in Indiana

Everyone in the US drives on the right. Many people use their cars for work in Indiana. The rush hour is nowhere near as long as bad as other cities around the world. If you’re moving to Indiana from within the US, you’ll be able to keep your license but need to update your address to your new one.

You can drive on a foreign license for up to 12 months as a tourist but after that, you will need to get an American license. If you are working or studying in the US, you can drive on your foreign license for 30 days. If you want to exchange your foreign driver’s license you have to follow the process here. 

Here are some other sample costs of owning and operating a car in Indiana:

• Volkswagen Golf: $25,000+
• 1 litre (¼ gallon) of Gas (petrol): $1.00

Source: Numbeo, Expatistan

Ways To Save Money on Driving in Indiana:

• Car sharing or pooling is one way to save money. Try Carpool World.
• Taxis can sometimes be a cheaper option, especially if you are going to have to park all day. Try Uber or Lyft.

9. Taxes in Indiana

No matter where you live in the State, you will pay federal tax. To learn more about the different taxes in the States go to Immihelp and USA taxes.

The sales tax rate in Indiana is 7%, which is comprised of a state rate of 5% and a local rate of 2%. However, some local jurisdictions may have additional taxes on certain goods or services, which can result in a slightly higher overall sales tax rate. There are also some exemptions and special rules for certain types of purchases, such as groceries and prescription drugs, which may have a lower tax rate or be exempt from sales tax altogether.

Whether you own or rent your home, you will be subject to property tax based on the area in which you live and the size of the property you live in. Learn more about property tax in Fresno at Property Tax.

Finally, if you decide to buy a flat or house in Indiana you’ll have to pay real estate transfer tax.  

10. Flight Costs from Indiana

If you do make the move to Indiana, here’s approximately how much it will cost to fly to other major world cities based on the lowest, one-way fares from Skyscanner as of early 2023:

• London: $360
• New York: $50 
• Los Angeles: $150
• Toronto: $150
• Vancouver: $190
• Dubai: $700
• Sydney: $1,100
• Melbourne: $1,200
• Cape Town: $1,100
• Hong Kong: $1,100

Other Tips on Moving to Indiana:

The costs and pricing above should give you a good idea of the cost of living in Indiana but perhaps the following extra tips will make your move go smoothly.

11. Moving to Indiana Alone

Moving anywhere can be a lonely experience, but moving to a new city can be especially daunting. Here are a few tips about settling in Indiana.

• Meetups: There are many Meetup groups to choose from. You will definitely find something to join which will help you to settle in.
• Attend Local Events: Indiana always has something going on. Have a look at Visit Indiana, Eventbrite.

12. Moving to Indiana with a Family

Indiana is generally considered a family-friendly location, with a variety of attractions and activities for families to enjoy, such as museums, parks, and family-friendly events. The state has a relatively low crime rate compared to some other parts of the US, although crime rates can vary by location. 

• New Parents (or parents to be): Free and paid antenatal classes and courses exist. Have a look at Indiana University Health.
• Live in a Family-friendly Area: Indiana has several family-friendly areas to live in, depending on the preferences of each family. Some popular choices include Carmel, Fishers, and Zionsville, which are suburban towns located in the Indianapolis metro area with highly rated schools, parks, and community events. Other family-friendly areas include West Lafayette, which is home to Purdue University and has a strong focus on education and family-friendly activities, and Bloomington, which offers a vibrant arts and culture scene and plenty of outdoor recreational opportunities.
• Find Things To Do With The Kids: There are many activities for families living in Indiana. Have a look at the following sites to be inspired – Trip Advisor.

13. Moving to Indiana for Work

While it is possible to move to Indiana without a job, it makes sense to ensure there are jobs in your field before you make the move. Indiana has a diverse economy with several major industries, including manufacturing, healthcare, and technology. Some of the state’s largest employers include Eli Lilly and Company, Subaru of Indiana Automotive, and Purdue University.

As of March 2022, Indiana’s unemployment rate is 3.6%, which is lower than the national average and reflects a relatively strong job market in the state.

Here are a few things to consider when moving for work:

• Salary: Salaries vary enormously depending on which industry you are in. The costs we outlined above should give you a rough idea of how much more you’ll want to make the move worthwhile. You can also check salary ranges on sites such as Payscale.
• How To Find Work: If you want to have a job lined up before you move to Fresno, but aren’t sure where to begin, the following sites are good places to start: Monster and Indeed. You may also want to Google recruiters in your industry, as they can often help land you some initial interviews as well.

14. Moving to Indiana from Australia

There’s a small group of Australians living and working in Indiana, if you are thinking of joining them, here are a few things to consider.

• Size Comparison: Indiana is roughly equivalent to the size of the Australian state of Tasmania, which has a land area of approximately 68,401 square kilometres.
• Join Expat Groups: There are so few Australians in Indiana that there isn’t a dedicated site. However, you can always start your own Australian Meetup group.

15. Moving to Indiana from Canada

There’s a small group of Canadians living in Indiana. If you’re considering making the move from Canada here are a few things to consider.

• Size: The province of New Brunswick in Canada has a land area of approximately 72,908 square kilometres (28,150 square miles), which is very close to the land area of Indiana, US.
• Expat Groups: Meeting up with fellow Canadians helps the moving process.  Start a Canadian Meetup group.

16. Moving to Indiana from the United Kingdom

There’s a small number of Brits living in Indiana. If you are thinking of making the move from the UK to join them, then here are a few things to consider.

• Size: Indiana is approximately 38.7% of the size of the United Kingdom.
• Expat Groups: If you want to join up with fellow Brits in Indiana, then start your own British Meetup group.

Hopefully, the tips and costs above are helpful. If want to get started pricing out how much it will cost you to move to Indiana you can start by comparing moving quotes here.