City Comparison
Anderson vs Muncie
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Anderson scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Anderson
Muncie
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Muncie is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
22% lower than in Anderson.
Housing costs are a major driver: Anderson's average rent is
13% higher than Muncie's.
| Metric | Anderson | Muncie | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $957 | $850 | +13% |
| Groceries | $401 | $380 | +6% |
| Utilities | $180 | $170 | +6% |
| Transport | $381 | $110 | +246% |
| Healthcare | $276 | $210 | +31% |
| Monthly Total | $2,195 | $1,720 | +28% |
| Cost Index | 84 | 84 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Muncie offers 4% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Muncie delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Anderson is estimated at
$34,800 vs $42,000 in Muncie.
| Metric | Anderson | Muncie |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $50,050 | $52,000 |
| Salary Needed | $34,800 | $42,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 59,583 idx | 61,905 idx |
| Household Income | $46,909 | $45,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.4°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Muncie sees 1.5 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Anderson | Muncie |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 52.80°F | 52.40°F |
| Summer High | 82.50°F | 81.30°F |
| Winter Low | 19.90°F | 19.90°F |
| Rainfall | 36.20 in | 37.30 in |
| Snowfall | 19.40 in | 20.90 in |
| Sunny Days | 241 | 239 |
| Humidity | 73.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Muncie has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to Anderson.
Muncie scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Anderson leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Anderson | Muncie |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 40.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Walkability | 47.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Muncie is the larger city
— approximately 0.9x the population of Anderson.
From a growth perspective, Anderson 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 | Muncie |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 56,404 | 65,132 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.45% | — |
| Median Age | 38.9 | 33.5 |
| Unemployment | 3.70% | 4.20% |
| 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.
Muncie
Advantages
Median home prices and overall cost of living are significantly lower than the national average per US Census and Zillow data.
Presence of Ball State University brings cultural events, art galleries, and Division I athletics to the local community.
Extensive outdoor recreation opportunities via the Cardinal Greenway trail system.
Short average commute times with minimal traffic congestion compared to larger metro areas.
Robust healthcare infrastructure anchored by IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital.
Drawbacks
Violent and property crime rates in certain neighborhoods exceed national averages.
Local median household incomes lag behind the national average.
Limited high-paying career opportunities outside of healthcare, education, and light manufacturing.
Winters can be cold and snowy, typical of the central Indiana climate.
Public transit options are limited outside of core bus routes and university shuttles.
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
Muncie
#483Indiana, USA
53.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$850
Avg Salary
$52,000
Cost Index
84
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
239/yr
Avg Temp
52.40°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
69
Business
64
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