Cost of Living in Winona Lake, IN

Population 5,073 · Indiana · Data vintage 2023

80
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Winona Lake sits on the smaller end of the Indiana city distribution. That scale shapes the housing market, the labor pool, and the services available to residents in ways the data below makes visible. The labor market has been unusually tight, with unemployment around 1.0% — below most comparable cities in the state.

Geographically, Winona Lake is about 35 miles west of Fort Wayne, the nearest large metro. Median home values run roughly 43% higher than Fort Wayne's $170,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 79
Rent 82

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

About the Cost of Living in Winona Lake

The median home value in Winona Lake is $242,400 — 21% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,074/month, 18% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $97,813/year is 31% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 1.0%, 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, Winona Lake has a cost of living index of 80 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 20% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$242,400
21% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$230,849
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,074/mo
18% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.8x
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 65.6%
Renter-occupied 34.4%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,074
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,688/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
16.3 min
40% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
6.9%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
80.7%
Carpooled
4.6%
Walked
7.5%
Bicycle
0.2%
Work from home
6.9%

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
$97,813
31% above avg
Per Capita Income
$49,919
Unemployment Rate
1.0%
79% below avg
Poverty Rate
6.9%
Labor Force Participation
70.5%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 35.5%
Graduate degree 15.3%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 28
Male median age 30.2
Female median age 26.8

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Winona Lake, IN?

Winona Lake has a cost index of 80 (100 = national average). It is 20% below the national average.

What is average rent in Winona Lake, IN?

The median gross rent in Winona Lake is $1,074 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Winona Lake?

The median home value in Winona Lake is $242,400 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Winona Lake?

The median household income in Winona Lake is $97,813 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Winona Lake, IN?

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

Is Winona Lake, IN affordable?

Yes, Winona Lake is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 80 — about 20% below the US national average of 100.

Winona Lake at a Glance

Population
5,073
Median Income
$97,813
Home Value
$242,400
Median Rent
$1,074/mo
Unemployment
1.0%
Sales Tax
7.0%
View all cities in Indiana →
🗺️ County data for Indiana

Explore county-level cost of living data

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