Cost of Living in Griffith, IN

Population 16,228 · Indiana · Data vintage 2023

75
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Griffith offers a notably favorable income-to-housing ratio for its region. The typical home — $200,000 — costs less than 2.6 times median household income of $76,009, a threshold many coastal markets passed a decade ago.

Located 25 miles southeast of Chicago, Griffith falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Median home values run roughly 36% lower than Chicago's $315,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 66
Rent 88

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

About the Cost of Living in Griffith

The median home value in Griffith is $200,400 — 34% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,154/month, 12% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $76,009/year is 2% higher 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, Griffith has a cost of living index of 75 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 25% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$200,400
34% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$243,311
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,154/mo
12% below avg
Zillow Rent
$1,276/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
14.5x
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 72.4%
Renter-occupied 27.6%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,154
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,768/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
32.6 min
21% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
4.8%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
81.1%
Carpooled
10.3%
Public transit
1.8%
Bicycle
0.2%
Work from home
4.8%

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
$76,009
2% above avg
Per Capita Income
$39,045
Unemployment Rate
3.5%
27% below avg
Poverty Rate
7.1%
Labor Force Participation
69.3%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 20.1%
Graduate degree 6.5%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 38.4
Male median age 37.9
Female median age 39.5

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 55 — Moderate
34.2%
Good air days/yr
215
Max AQI recorded
294
PM2.5 days
69
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

82%
4-Year Graduation Rate
16:1
Student-teacher ratio
5
Public schools
2,260
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Griffith, IN?

Griffith has a cost index of 75 (100 = national average). It is 25% below the national average.

What is average rent in Griffith, IN?

The median gross rent in Griffith is $1,154 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Griffith?

The median home value in Griffith is $200,400 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Griffith?

The median household income in Griffith is $76,009 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Griffith, IN?

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

Is Griffith, IN affordable?

Yes, Griffith is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 75 — about 25% below the US national average of 100.

Griffith at a Glance

Population
16,228
Median Income
$76,009
Home Value
$200,400
Median Rent
$1,154/mo
Unemployment
3.5%
Sales Tax
7.0%
View all cities in Indiana →
🗺️ County data for Indiana

Explore county-level cost of living data

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