City Comparison
Anderson vs Kokomo
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Anderson scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Anderson
Kokomo
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Kokomo is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
17% lower than in Anderson.
| Metric | Anderson | Kokomo | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $957 | $950 | +1% |
| Groceries | $401 | $380 | +6% |
| Utilities | $180 | $170 | +6% |
| Transport | $381 | $110 | +246% |
| Healthcare | $276 | $220 | +25% |
| Monthly Total | $2,195 | $1,830 | +20% |
| Cost Index | 84 | 84 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Kokomo offers 14% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Kokomo delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Anderson is estimated at
$34,800 vs $45,000 in Kokomo.
| Metric | Anderson | Kokomo |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $50,050 | $58,000 |
| Salary Needed | $34,800 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 59,583 idx | 69,048 idx |
| Household Income | $46,909 | $57,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.2°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Kokomo sees 3.4 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Anderson | Kokomo |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 52.80°F | 52.60°F |
| Summer High | 82.50°F | 82.00°F |
| Winter Low | 19.90°F | 19.30°F |
| Rainfall | 36.20 in | 32.40 in |
| Snowfall | 19.40 in | 22.80 in |
| Sunny Days | 241 | 247 |
| Humidity | 73.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Kokomo has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Anderson.
For walkability, Anderson leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Anderson | Kokomo |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 40.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 47.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 35.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Kokomo is the larger city
— approximately 0.9x the population of Anderson.
From a growth perspective, Kokomo is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Anderson has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Anderson | Kokomo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 56,404 | 59,610 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.45% | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 38.9 | 39.0 |
| Unemployment | 3.70% | 4.00% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Anderson
Advantages
Housing costs are significantly lower than the national average, making homeownership more accessible.
The overall cost of living in Anderson is 16% lower than the national average.
The city offers practical access to jobs and regional commuting convenience due to its location on the I-69 corridor.
Healthcare costs are more affordable than the US average, with two local hospitals providing comprehensive services.
Anderson has a diverse range of local amenities, parks, and cultural attractions, contributing to a balanced lifestyle.
Drawbacks
The median household income in Anderson is lower than the national and state averages.
The poverty rate in Anderson is higher than the state average.
While public transit exists, the city is largely car-dependent, with most residents driving to work.
Rent prices have seen a recent increase, with a 6.4% rise year over year as of October 2026.
The average salary in Anderson is lower than the national average.
Kokomo
Advantages
Median home prices are substantially lower than the national average, per recent Zillow housing data.
Major investments in EV battery manufacturing are driving modern industrial job growth in the region.
An affordable cost of living allows residents to enjoy strong purchasing power on housing and everyday goods.
Abundant local parks, sports complexes, and the Wildcat Creek trail system support an active outdoor lifestyle.
Convenient access via US-31 allows for easy commuting and travel to the greater Indianapolis metropolitan area.
Drawbacks
Public transportation options are limited, making car ownership practically mandatory for daily life.
Local employment remains heavily tied to the automotive and manufacturing sectors, creating cyclical economic exposure.
Extreme winter weather conditions include regular snowfall and freezing temperatures requiring winter preparedness.
Entertainment and nightlife options are limited compared to larger metropolitan hubs.
Average educational attainment rates trail national benchmarks in certain specialized technical fields.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Anderson
#109Indiana, USA
67.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$957
Avg Salary
$50,050
Cost Index
84
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
40.0/100
Walkability
47.0/100
Sunny Days
241/yr
Avg Temp
52.80°F
Pop. Growth
0.45%
Unemployment
3.70%
Livability
74
Business
68
Kokomo
#216Indiana, USA
63.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$58,000
Cost Index
84
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
40.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
247/yr
Avg Temp
52.60°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
4.00%
Livability
73
Business
67
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