Illinois vs Indiana: cost of living
Indiana is the cheaper state of the two, with an overall price level of 91.8 versus 101.3 for Illinois (BEA Regional Price Parity, US = 100) — so Illinois is about 10.3% more expensive. Illinois's median household income is $80,306 versus $69,477 in Indiana, and median rent is $1,322 versus $1,104 a month. To keep a $100,000 standard of living moving from Illinois to Indiana you'd need about $90,622.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (RPP), all items. Data as of June 2026.
Illinois vs Indiana side by side
| Indicator | Illinois | Indiana |
|---|---|---|
| Price level (BEA RPP, US=100) | 101.3 | 91.8 |
| Price vs US average | +1.3% | -8.2% |
| Median household income (ACS 2023) | $80,306 | $69,477 |
| Median gross rent / month | $1,322 | $1,104 |
| Census region | Midwest | Midwest |
Sources: BEA RPP 2022; Census ACS income and rent 2023.
Salary needed to move
Using the price-level ratio (the salary-needed formula on our methodology page), here is the equivalent pay needed to hold the same standard of living when you move between Illinois and Indiana:
| If you earn this here… | …you'd need this there |
|---|---|
| $60,000 in Illinois | $54,373 in Indiana |
| $100,000 in Illinois | $90,622 in Indiana |
| $60,000 in Indiana | $66,209 in Illinois |
| $100,000 in Indiana | $110,349 in Illinois |
Verdict
On price level alone, Indiana stretches a paycheck further than Illinois by roughly 10.3%. But cost of living is only half the picture: Illinois has the higher median household income ($80,306), and neither figure accounts for state income tax, which can swing the real-world gap. Read each state's full page for context — Illinois and Indiana — and run your exact salary through the calculator.
Frequently asked questions
Is Illinois or Indiana cheaper to live in?
Indiana is the cheaper of the two: its overall price level is 91.8 versus 101.3 for Illinois on the BEA Regional Price Parity scale (US = 100), making Illinois about 10.3% more expensive. This is an estimate of overall prices; verify with the BEA.
What salary in Indiana matches $100,000 in Illinois?
About $90,622. Because Indiana's price level (91.8) is lower than Illinois's (101.3), $100,000 of Illinois buying power equals roughly $90,622 in Indiana. The reverse: $100,000 in Indiana is worth about $110,349 in Illinois. Estimate based on price level only — it ignores taxes and your job market.
Which state has higher incomes, Illinois or Indiana?
Illinois has the higher median household income: $80,306 versus $69,477 (US Census Bureau ACS 2023).
More comparisons
Last updated: 2026-06-18