salaryRent is lower than in 73% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs under 3 years of household income, which is easy by U.S. standards. Commutes are short, about 18.5 minutes.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $49,680 a year. That is $24 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Indiana cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of Indiana. It is number 70 of 132 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Elkhart?
Share of households by yearly income. 10.4% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Elkhart
| Size | Elkhart | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | $931 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,087 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,376 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,497 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Elkhart overall?
Everyday prices in the Elkhart-Goshen metro area are 10% below the U.S. average (index 90.3, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Elkhart
Life in Elkhart
What jobs pay in Elkhart
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $143,720 | 10.4% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $127,190 | 11.7% |
| Operations Manager | $122,070 | 12.2% |
| Software Developer | $101,710 | 14.7% |
| Civil Engineer | $99,330 | 15.0% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $96,680 | 15.4% |
| Dental Hygienist | $92,050 | 16.2% |
| Registered Nurse | $88,100 | 16.9% |
| Accountant | $77,420 | 19.3% |
| Police Officer | $73,370 | 20.3% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $65,860 | 22.6% |
| Carpenter | $65,520 | 22.7% |
| Market Research Analyst | $65,240 | 22.8% |
| Plumber | $64,730 | 23.0% |
| Firefighter | $63,760 | 23.4% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $59,930 | 24.9% |
| HVAC Technician | $59,590 | 25.0% |
| Electrician | $58,640 | 25.4% |
| Truck Driver | $58,100 | 25.7% |
| Customer Service Representative | $48,000 | 31.1% |
| Medical Assistant | $44,550 | 33.5% |
| Warehouse Worker | $40,820 | 36.5% |
| Nursing Assistant | $38,150 | 39.1% |
| Restaurant Cook | $33,770 | 44.1% |
| Retail Salesperson | $33,360 | 44.7% |
| Cashier | $29,560 | 50.4% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $28,060 | 53.1% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Elkhart?
Buying is cheaper month to month: about $274 a month less than renting.
Owning assumes a typical $139,500 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $13,950 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Elkhart, IN?
Renting in Elkhart costs a median of about $1,242 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Indiana median is $1,219.
How much do I need to make to live in Elkhart?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $49,680 a year, or $24 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Elkhart cheap or expensive?
Elkhart is rated OK: rent takes 27.1% of the typical household income of $55,034. It ranks 70th cheapest of 132 Indiana cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Elkhart?
The median homeowner in Elkhart pays $1,198 a year in property taxes, about 0.86% of the median home value.
Is Elkhart more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 10% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Elkhart?
The median home value in Elkhart is $139,500, about 2.5 times the typical yearly household income.
53,733 people live in Elkhart. Numbers are typical (middle) values.