Cost of Living in New Castle, IN

Population 17,356 · Indiana · Data vintage 2023

43
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

New Castle is a smaller Indiana community of around 17000 residents, where median household incomes of $48,977 and housing costs ($95,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape.

New Castle is about 30 miles east of Fishers, the nearest large metro — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 74% lower than Fishers' $370,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 31
Rent 61

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

About the Cost of Living in New Castle

The median home value in New Castle is $95,100 — 69% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $797/month, 39% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $48,977/year is 34% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 5.7%, above 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, New Castle has a cost of living index of 43 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 57% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$95,100
69% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$162,096
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$797/mo
39% below avg
Zillow Rent
$878/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
9.9x
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 62.9%
Renter-occupied 37.1%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$797
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,411/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
21.0 min
22% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
7.4%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
76.7%
Carpooled
11.8%
Public transit
0.2%
Walked
2.6%
Bicycle
1.0%
Work from home
7.4%

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
$48,977
34% below avg
Per Capita Income
$28,016
Unemployment Rate
5.7%
19% above avg
Poverty Rate
18.5%
Labor Force Participation
57.9%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 9.1%
Graduate degree 4.8%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 41.1
Male median age 39.3
Female median age 42.9

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 44 — Good
61.5%
Good air days/yr
192
Max AQI recorded
348
PM2.5 days
0
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

95%
4-Year Graduation Rate
13.4:1
Student-teacher ratio
8
Public schools
3,046
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in New Castle, IN?

New Castle has a cost index of 43 (100 = national average). It is 57% below the national average.

What is average rent in New Castle, IN?

The median gross rent in New Castle is $797 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in New Castle?

The median home value in New Castle is $95,100 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in New Castle?

The median household income in New Castle is $48,977 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in New Castle, IN?

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

Is New Castle, IN affordable?

Yes, New Castle is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 43 — about 57% below the US national average of 100.

New Castle at a Glance

Population
17,356
Median Income
$48,977
Home Value
$95,100
Median Rent
$797/mo
Unemployment
5.7%
Sales Tax
7.0%
View all cities in Indiana →
🗺️ County data for Indiana

Explore county-level cost of living data

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