The Most Affordable Cities in Indiana: Where to Live on a Budget

Are you looking for the most affordable cities in Indiana? Whether you're a student, a retiree, or just looking for a change of scenery, you'll want to know which cities offer the best value for your money. From Muncie to Rushville, we've compiled a list of the 10 most affordable cities in Indiana. Muncie is the most affordable city in Indiana, with an overall cost of living that is 15% below the state average and 25% below the national average. Home to more than 70,000 residents, Muncie is a treasure trove of opportunities.

Visit the David Owsley Art Museum at Ball State University, or work out by running on the Cardinal Greenway Muncie Depot Trailhead Trail. Muncie is home to numerous parks, including the one next to White River, so you'll never have to travel far to enjoy the fresh air. Huntington completes our list of the 10 most affordable cities. Known as “Lime City” for its abundant limestone quarries, Huntington is home to all the urban services you'll need, including restaurants, supermarkets and places of worship.

Residents can explore the city's famous limestone quarries along trails such as the Lime City Trail. For more hiking opportunities all year round, take a walk to the Pehkokia Forest. Columbus is a small city brimming with culture and fun. First-class architecture, public art, live music, a farmers market in the center of the city, about 46 miles south of Indianapolis, welcomes those who want the amenities of a big city but with the charm of a larger city.

This sculpture, a small girl made of limestone and with a pink marble heart in her hands, created by Linda Peterson, a local resident, is located on the Columbus People Trail. Lafayette is home to IU-Health's Arnette Hospital and the Indiana Haan Museum of Art, filled with works by historic and contemporary Indiana artists. While Purdue University is technically located in West Lafayette, just across the Wabash River, both communities support the university's student population with amenities and services. Mishawaka has dozens of parks, a historic district and new construction to accommodate its growing population. Chrysler still maintains a plant in Kokomo. The company plans to convert a transmission factory into a new plant for producing engines, as it is one of the main employers in this small industrial city 60 miles north of Indianapolis. West Lafayette has more to offer than Purdue University.

Enjoy live music at Riehle Plaza, buy art during the annual Art on the Wabash art fair, and enjoy restaurants downtown and across the city. South Bend is filled with several museums, including the South Bend Museum of Art with five galleries of history and contemporary art, located in the center of South Bend, and the Civil Rights Heritage Center, a center that helps educate people about contemporary social issues, justice, and civil rights and located on the South Bend campus of Indiana University.Nice and cozy coffee shops, breweries, shopping options from independent boutiques to major retailers found in Greenwood Park Mall and a farmers market make this affordable city even more charming. For those who want access to big city services but the charm of a tight community, Greenwood is a good combination of both as it's just 11 miles south of downtown Indianapolis. Muncie is also where Bob Ross recorded The Joy of Painting from 1983 to 1988 in a television studio (which can still be enjoyed through an interactive exhibition at Minnetrist museum (campus). Locals love biking or hiking on Cardinal Greenway - Indiana's longest paved trail - which spans 100 km and includes Muncie. Indiana's first zoo - Mesker Park Zoo and Botanical Garden - opened in 1928 in Evansville and is located in Mesker Park on the city's northwest side. Elwood has lots of great parks for having picnics or playing softball.

The city also hosts an annual Elwood Glass Festival complete with handicrafts local food stalls and carnival attractions. Once renovations are complete at Eagles Theater - a 114-year-old historic theater with two balconies and ballroom - you can enjoy a truly luxurious night in Wabash. New Whiteland is already on our list of best places to live in Indiana so discovering that it's also seventh most affordable place is like winning lottery. The place with lowest cost of living in Indiana according to data is Rushville. You can customize your list of affordable places to live in Indiana by adjusting filters to your needs. This will allow you to select size of city (population) and other criteria that will help you find perfect place for your budget.

Wilson Imada
Wilson Imada

Lifelong beer advocate. Extreme pop culture maven. Friendly pop culture evangelist. General travel nerd. Evil sushi guru. Avid zombie trailblazer.