salaryRent here is among the lowest 10% of all U.S. cities. A typical house costs under 3 years of household income, which is easy by U.S. standards. Most households rent (57%), so there are plenty of rental options.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $37,280 a year. That is $18 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Indiana cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of Indiana. It is number 17 of 132 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in East Chicago?
Share of households by yearly income. 10.9% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in East Chicago
| Size | East Chicago | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $571 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $490 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $978 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,226 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,815 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is East Chicago overall?
Everyday prices in Indiana overall are 7% below the U.S. average (index 93.3, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024. City-level data is not published for East Chicago, so the Indiana figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in East Chicago
Life in East Chicago
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in East Chicago?
Buying is cheaper month to month: about $201 a month less than renting.
Owning assumes a typical $105,400 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $10,540 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in East Chicago, IN?
Renting in East Chicago costs a median of about $932 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Indiana median is $1,219.
How much do I need to make to live in East Chicago?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $37,280 a year, or $18 an hour at a full-time job.
Is East Chicago cheap or expensive?
East Chicago is rated OK: rent takes 24.6% of the typical household income of $45,432. It ranks 17th cheapest of 132 Indiana cities we track.
How much are property taxes in East Chicago?
The median homeowner in East Chicago pays $1,083 a year in property taxes, about 1.03% of the median home value.
Is East Chicago more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in Indiana are 7% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in East Chicago?
The median home value in East Chicago is $105,400, about 2.3 times the typical yearly household income.
26,022 people live in East Chicago. Numbers are typical (middle) values.