Cost of Living in Berne, IN

Population 3,906 · Indiana · Data vintage 2023

51
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Berne is a smaller Indiana community of around 4000 residents, where median household incomes of $59,413 and housing costs ($146,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape.

Berne is about 30 miles southeast of Fort Wayne, the nearest large metro — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 14% lower than Fort Wayne's $170,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 48
Rent 56

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Berne

The median home value in Berne is $145,600 — 52% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $735/month, 44% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $59,413/year is 20% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 3.5%, below the national average of 4.8%. Indiana's top state income tax rate is 3.0% and the combined sales tax is 7.0%. Overall, Berne has a cost of living index of 51 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 49% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$145,600
52% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$205,183
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$735/mo
44% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.5x
Favors buying
Property Tax Rate
0.8%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$731
1 BR
$783
2 BR
$985
3 BR
$1,286
4 BR
$1,456
Owner-occupied 70.2%
Renter-occupied 29.8%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$735
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,349/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
18.0 min
33% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
7.1%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
79.8%
Carpooled
8.1%
Public transit
0.7%
Walked
4.3%
Work from home
7.1%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax (flat) 3.0%
Total Sales Tax 7.0%
State rate 7.0%
Avg local rate 0.0%
Property Tax 0.8%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$59,413
20% below avg
Per Capita Income
$30,450
Unemployment Rate
3.5%
26% below avg
Poverty Rate
10.7%
Labor Force Participation
63.9%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 17.2%
Graduate degree 6.7%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 38.9
Male median age 41.9
Female median age 38.5

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

92%
4-Year Graduation Rate
13.4:1
Student-teacher ratio
3
Public schools
1,298
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Berne, IN?

Berne has a cost index of 51 (100 = national average). It is 49% below the national average.

What is average rent in Berne, IN?

The median gross rent in Berne is $735 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Berne?

The median home value in Berne is $145,600 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Berne?

The median household income in Berne is $59,413 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Berne, IN?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Berne is 7.0%. The Indiana state income tax top rate is 3.0%.

Is Berne, IN affordable?

Yes, Berne is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 51 — about 49% below the US national average of 100.