Cost of Living in Pendleton, IN

Population 5,115 · Indiana · Data vintage 2023

82
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Under 25,000 residents gives Pendleton a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $236,000. An unemployment rate of 3.0% points to a labor market well on the tight side of the national distribution.

Pendleton sits roughly 11 miles east of Fishers — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 36% lower than Fishers' $370,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 77
Rent 88

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

About the Cost of Living in Pendleton

The median home value in Pendleton is $236,200 — 23% 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 $87,971/year is 18% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 3.0%, 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, Pendleton has a cost of living index of 82 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 18% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$236,200
23% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$329,777
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,154/mo
12% below avg
Zillow Rent
$2,167/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.1x
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 69.6%
Renter-occupied 30.4%

💰 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
24.3 min
10% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
18.9%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
72.1%
Carpooled
7.2%
Walked
1.7%
Work from home
18.9%

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
$87,971
18% above avg
Per Capita Income
$51,969
Unemployment Rate
3.0%
38% below avg
Poverty Rate
5.5%
Labor Force Participation
71.3%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 25.5%
Graduate degree 12.0%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 39
Male median age 37.1
Female median age 41

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 48 — Good
55.6%
Good air days/yr
229
Max AQI recorded
223
PM2.5 days
142
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

96%
4-Year Graduation Rate
20.1:1
Student-teacher ratio
5
Public schools
4,333
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Pendleton, IN?

Pendleton has a cost index of 82 (100 = national average). It is 18% below the national average.

What is average rent in Pendleton, IN?

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

What is the average home price in Pendleton?

The median home value in Pendleton is $236,200 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Pendleton?

The median household income in Pendleton is $87,971 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Pendleton, IN?

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

Is Pendleton, IN affordable?

Yes, Pendleton is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 82 — about 18% below the US national average of 100.

Pendleton at a Glance

Population
5,115
Median Income
$87,971
Home Value
$236,200
Median Rent
$1,154/mo
Unemployment
3.0%
Sales Tax
7.0%
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🗺️ County data for Indiana

Explore county-level cost of living data

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