Cost of Living in Decatur, IN

Population 9,769 · 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

Decatur is a smaller Indiana community of around 10000 residents, where median household incomes of $58,867 and housing costs ($133,000 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 2.1% — below most comparable cities in the state.

Geographically, Decatur sits roughly 20 miles southeast of Fort Wayne. Median home values run roughly 22% lower than Fort Wayne's $170,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 44
Rent 61

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

About the Cost of Living in Decatur

The median home value in Decatur is $132,900 — 56% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $804/month, 39% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $58,867/year is 21% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 2.1%, 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, Decatur has a cost of living index of 51 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 49% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$132,900
56% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$225,265
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$804/mo
39% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
13.8x
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 73.1%
Renter-occupied 26.9%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$804
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,418/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
22.5 min
17% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
2.4%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
87.1%
Carpooled
6.9%
Walked
3.2%
Work from home
2.4%

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
$58,867
21% below avg
Per Capita Income
$29,760
Unemployment Rate
2.1%
56% below avg
Poverty Rate
10.8%
Labor Force Participation
56.5%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 10.4%
Graduate degree 2.3%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 43.6
Male median age 41.4
Female median age 45.9

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

92%
4-Year Graduation Rate
13.8:1
Student-teacher ratio
3
Public schools
1,744
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Decatur, IN?

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

What is average rent in Decatur, IN?

The median gross rent in Decatur is $804 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Decatur?

The median home value in Decatur is $132,900 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Decatur?

The median household income in Decatur is $58,867 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Decatur, IN?

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

Is Decatur, IN affordable?

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

Decatur at a Glance

Population
9,769
Median Income
$58,867
Home Value
$132,900
Median Rent
$804/mo
Unemployment
2.1%
Sales Tax
7.0%
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Explore county-level cost of living data

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