salaryRent is lower than in 71% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs under 3 years of household income, which is easy by U.S. standards.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $51,120 a year. That is $25 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 75 of 132 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Gary?
Share of households by yearly income. 10.2% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Gary
| Size | Gary | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $952 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $814 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,036 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,345 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,437 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Gary 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 Gary, so the Indiana figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Gary
Life in Gary
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Gary?
Buying is cheaper month to month: about $621 a month less than renting.
Owning assumes a typical $94,700 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $9,470 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Gary, IN?
Renting in Gary costs a median of about $1,278 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Indiana median is $1,219.
How much do I need to make to live in Gary?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $51,120 a year, or $25 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Gary cheap or expensive?
Gary is rated Expensive: rent takes 36.7% of the typical household income of $41,771. It ranks 75th cheapest of 132 Indiana cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Gary?
The median homeowner in Gary pays $915 a year in property taxes, about 0.97% of the median home value.
Is Gary 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 Gary?
The median home value in Gary is $94,700, about 2.3 times the typical yearly household income.
68,113 people live in Gary. Numbers are typical (middle) values.