City Comparison
Anderson vs Terre Haute
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Anderson scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Anderson
Terre Haute
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Terre Haute is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
23% lower than in Anderson.
Housing costs are a major driver: Anderson's average rent is
13% higher than Terre Haute's.
| Metric | Anderson | Terre Haute | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $957 | $850 | +13% |
| Groceries | $401 | $350 | +15% |
| Utilities | $180 | $165 | +9% |
| Transport | $381 | $110 | +246% |
| Healthcare | $276 | $210 | +31% |
| Monthly Total | $2,195 | $1,685 | +30% |
| Cost Index | 84 | 84 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Terre Haute offers 4% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Terre Haute 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 Terre Haute.
| Metric | Anderson | Terre Haute |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $50,050 | $52,000 |
| Salary Needed | $34,800 | $42,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 59,583 idx | 61,905 idx |
| Household Income | $46,909 | $47,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 2.4°F of each other.
For sunshine, Terre Haute comes out ahead with 16 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Anderson sees 0.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Anderson | Terre Haute |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 52.80°F | 55.20°F |
| Summer High | 82.50°F | 84.50°F |
| Winter Low | 19.90°F | 21.70°F |
| Rainfall | 36.20 in | 39.70 in |
| Snowfall | 19.40 in | 18.60 in |
| Sunny Days | 241 | 257 |
| Humidity | 73.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Terre Haute has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to Anderson.
Anderson 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 | Terre Haute |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 40.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 47.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Terre Haute is the larger city
.
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 | Terre Haute |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 56,404 | 58,380 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.45% | 0.20% |
| Median Age | 38.9 | 35.5 |
| Unemployment | 3.70% | 4.10% |
| 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.
Terre Haute
Advantages
Median home prices in Terre Haute are substantially lower than the national average per recent housing market data.
The city features multiple reputable higher education institutions including Indiana State University and Rose-Hulman.
An affordable cost of living allows residents to stretch their household budgets further compared to major metro areas.
A manageable average commute time reduces daily transit stress for local workers.
Ongoing downtown revitalization projects are bringing new dining, retail, and entertainment options to the city core.
Drawbacks
Average local salaries lag behind national medians, reflecting the regional economic structure.
Public transit options are limited, resulting in high car dependency for daily errands and commuting.
Job growth rates in certain high-tech sectors are slower compared to major national innovation hubs.
Winters can be cold and snowy, requiring preparation for harsh seasonal weather conditions.
Certain neighborhoods face economic transition challenges that impact local property values and safety metrics.
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
Terre Haute
#413Indiana, USA
57.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$850
Avg Salary
$52,000
Cost Index
84
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
257/yr
Avg Temp
55.20°F
Pop. Growth
0.20%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
70
Business
63
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