Cost of Living in Bluffton, IN
Population 10,539 · Indiana · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
Bluffton is a smaller Indiana community of around 11000 residents, where median household incomes of $57,929 and housing costs ($137,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape. The labor market has been unusually tight, with unemployment around 2.9% — below most comparable cities in the state.
Bluffton sits roughly 25 miles south of Fort Wayne — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 19% lower than Fort Wayne's $170,000.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in Bluffton
The median home value in Bluffton is $136,800 — 55% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $816/month, 38% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $57,929/year is 22% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 2.9%, 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, Bluffton has a cost of living index of 52 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 48% less expensive.
🏠 Housing
HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom
💰 Estimated Monthly Budget
Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.
🛒 Food & Groceries
National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.
🚗 Transportation
Commute Mode
⚡ Utilities
📋 Taxes
💼 Income & Employment
🎓 Education
👥 Demographics
🏫 Schools
NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Bluffton, IN?
Bluffton has a cost index of 52 (100 = national average). It is 48% below the national average.
What is average rent in Bluffton, IN?
The median gross rent in Bluffton is $816 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Bluffton?
The median home value in Bluffton is $136,800 according to Zillow and Census data.
What is the median income in Bluffton?
The median household income in Bluffton is $57,929 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Bluffton, IN?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Bluffton is 7.0%. The Indiana state income tax top rate is 3.0%.
Is Bluffton, IN affordable?
Yes, Bluffton is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 52 — about 48% below the US national average of 100.
Bluffton at a Glance
- Population
- 10,539
- Median Income
- $57,929
- Home Value
- $136,800
- Median Rent
- $816/mo
- Unemployment
- 2.9%
- Sales Tax
- 7.0%
Nearby Cities
Explore county-level cost of living data
Indiana Rankings
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