Are you considering a move to Gary, Indiana, United States, and wondering about the cost of living? Gary, Indiana is a diverse city with a lot to offer, but like any city, it comes with its own set of expenses. In this page, we'll break down the cost of living in Gary, Indiana and help you understand whether $3172 per month is moderately priced, given the average monthly salary of $3679.0.
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Restaurants |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant |
10.0 $ |
|
|
Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course |
75.0 $ |
|
|
McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal) |
8.0 $ |
|
|
Domestic Beer (1 pint draught) |
2.5 $ |
|
|
Imported Beer (12 oz small bottle) |
4.0 $ |
|
|
Cappuccino (regular) |
4.0 $ |
|
|
Coke/Pepsi (12 oz small bottle) |
1.79 $ |
|
|
Water (12 oz small bottle) |
1.15 $ |
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Markets |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
Milk (regular), (1 gallon) |
-- |
|
|
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (1 lb) |
4.06 $ |
|
|
Rice (white), (1 lb) |
7.63 $ |
|
|
Eggs (regular) (12) |
3.97 $ |
|
|
Local Cheese (1 lb) |
19.53 $ |
|
|
Chicken Fillets (1 lb) |
22.71 $ |
|
|
Beef Round (1 lb) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat) |
22.49 $ |
|
|
Apples (1 lb) |
10.41 $ |
|
|
Banana (1 lb) |
2.91 $ |
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Oranges (1 lb) |
5.62 $ |
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|
Tomato (1 lb) |
9.59 $ |
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|
Potato (1 lb) |
5.14 $ |
|
|
Onion (1 lb) |
4.89 $ |
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|
Lettuce (1 head) |
2.22 $ |
|
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Water (1.5 liter bottle) |
1.08 $ |
|
|
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) |
12.5 $ |
|
|
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle) |
1.54 $ |
|
|
Imported Beer (12 oz small bottle) |
1.08 $ |
|
|
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro) |
7.14 $ |
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Transportation |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
One-way Ticket (Local Transport) |
3.03 $ |
|
|
Monthly Pass (Regular Price) |
36.03 $ |
|
|
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff) |
11.07 $ |
|
|
Taxi 1 mile (Normal Tariff) |
-- |
|
|
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff) |
11.07 $ |
|
|
Gasoline (1 gallon) |
-- |
|
|
Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car) |
16000.0 $ |
|
|
Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car) |
22000.0 $ |
|
|
Utilities (Monthly) |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 915 sq ft Apartment |
145.0 $ |
|
|
1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local (No Discounts or Plans) |
-- |
|
|
Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) |
53.05 $ |
|
|
Sports And Leisure |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult |
36.7 $ |
|
|
Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend) |
36.7 $ |
|
|
Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat |
9.72 $ |
|
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Childcare |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child |
705.0 $ |
|
|
International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child |
6582.0 $ |
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Clothing And Shoes |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar) |
39.05 $ |
|
|
1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, ...) |
39.05 $ |
|
|
1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range) |
74.4 $ |
|
|
1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes |
75.0 $ |
|
|
Rent Per Month |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre |
1039.0 $ |
|
|
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre |
938.0 $ |
|
|
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre |
1736.0 $ |
|
|
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre |
1541.0 $ |
|
|
Buy Apartment Price |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment in City Centre |
3000.0 $ |
|
|
Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre |
2000.0 $ |
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Salaries And Financing |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) |
3679.0 $ |
|
|
Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate |
6.65 % |
|
The monthly expenses for living in Gary, Indiana come to a total of approximately $3172. This includes an average monthly rent of around $1039 for a one-bedroom apartment in the city center, along with utilities costing about $171 per month. Additionally, other expenses such as groceries, transportation, dining out, and leisure activities for one person amount to approximately $1420 per month.
Living in Gary, Indiana appears to be relatively budget-friendly when considering the average monthly income of $3679.0. However, to enjoy a comfortable standard of living in Gary, Indiana, you would likely need an income exceeding $3679.0.
In Gary, Indiana, the average monthly post-tax salary hovers around $3679.0, and it isn't tied to any particular skillset or qualification.
The typical monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the central area of Gary, Indiana is approximately $1039. If you're open to living in a location outside the city center, you can expect to pay around $938.0 for such an apartment.
The expense for groceries in Gary, Indiana can fluctuate based on personal choices and shopping patterns. Typically, an individual can budget around $1245 per month for groceries. Nevertheless, the actual costs may change depending on various factors, including the specific items bought, the choice of stores, and the availability of discounts or special offers.
The cost of living in United States can vary significantly depending on the particular city you have in mind. Using a nationwide average might not provide accurate information. To get a more precise understanding, it's crucial to examine the cost of living in various cities throughout United States.
The crime rates in Gary range from concerning to terrifying. The biggest concern is the homicide rate. 48 lives were taken in 2021 just in Gary and another 40 homicides were reported in surrounding Lake County. The oddities in some crime numbers here include a violent crime rate just 21% higher than the national average but a homicide rate 12 times higher. At best, there's a medium risk here, but it's really close to high risk.
Northwest Indiana is flush with public transportation options, including nearly a dozen routes via bus or rail to get around the area and the Chicago region. You can also call a taxi or rideshare. There's a medium risk due to the dangers of waiting at public transportation stops here. Having your own car is ideal, but also comes with its own risks.
The theft rate is one in 52 here, which isn't the lowest we've seen. The data provided by the Gary Police Department doesn't break down how many of those are pickpockets. There's a medium risk simply because we know there are a lot of guns in the wrong hands here and brazen criminals holding them.
You face extreme weather risks in all seasons, including flooding, severe thunderstorms, tornadoes, blizzards, and ice storms. There's a medium risk because of the potential, but there's nothing that won't come with plenty of warning.
The robbery rate is two and a half times the national average, so there's a medium risk here. Again, the gun violence increase in Gary and across Indiana and Illinois should make anyone ultra-protective of their belongings when visiting here. You should never fight back if confronted by a thief here. It's just not worth the risk.
At one time the city would've been a hard target due to the industrial footprint and proximity to Chicago, but for now, it's just the percentage of criminally-minded people who live in the community that really put it at risk.
There have been many reports of food stamp fraud over the years in Gary, but there aren't any specific ones that target a tourist. You should still consider it a medium risk because there's a lot of hustling on the streets of Gary to make a quick buck.
I would recommend that unless a woman or group of women have a reason to be here, they should find another place to visit. The sexual assault rate is the least of their worries, as it's slightly lower than the national average. That gun violence, though, is concerning and women don't want to be considered an easy target.
The water quality report from Indiana American Water shows there were no violations in 2021 and all water is safe to use. The water is hard, so if you're sensitive to the minerals in hard water, you should consider using bottled water for drinking.
International travelers will need to go through customs where their visa and passport will be checked. Once you're cleared to enter the United States, you won't need to show the visa again until you leave. You'll use the passport for identification.
The U.S. Dollar (USD) is the only currency accepted here. If you're traveling with a lot of credit cards, please just take one of them with you while visiting Gary. Keep the rest in a safe place, like a hotel room safe where only you'll know the combination. Don't carry cash here.
Gary gets about three feet of snow each winter, so even if it's not snowing while you visit there is likely to be some on the ground. Be sure to bring waterproof warm boots for winter trips. Early spring can be cool and it really doesn't warm up until mid-summer. A jacket and jeans should be good in the fall. Summer is going to have some warm days, but you'll still want sturdy shoes if you're visiting the wilderness areas or plan on doing a lot of walking.
There is an airport in Gary, but it doesn't have commercial flights. You can get to the Chicago area airports in less than an hour.
There are weather risks and inherent travel dangers in Gary, so travel insurance is a good idea.
| Average | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High | 34°F | 38°F | 48°F | 60°F | 70°F | 79°F | 83°F | 81°F | 75°F | 63°F | 50°F | 38°F |
| Temp | 27°F | 30°F | 39°F | 50°F | 60°F | 70°F | 75°F | 73°F | 66°F | 54°F | 43°F | 31°F |
| Low | 21°F | 24°F | 33°F | 43°F | 52°F | 61°F | 66°F | 65°F | 57°F | 46°F | 36°F | 26°F |
| Average | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High | 1°C | 3°C | 8°C | 15°C | 21°C | 26°C | 28°C | 27°C | 23°C | 17°C | 10°C | 3°C |
| Temp | -2°C | -1°C | 3°C | 10°C | 15°C | 21°C | 23°C | 22°C | 18°C | 12°C | 6°C | 0°C |
| Low | -6°C | -4°C | 0°C | 6°C | 11°C | 16°C | 18°C | 18°C | 13°C | 7°C | 2°C | -3°C |