City Comparison
Fishers vs Muncie
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Fishers scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Fishers
Muncie
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Muncie is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
34% lower than in Fishers.
Housing costs are a major driver: Fishers's average rent is
94% higher than Muncie's.
| Metric | Fishers | Muncie | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,650 | $850 | +94% |
| Groceries | $420 | $380 | +11% |
| Utilities | $175 | $170 | +3% |
| Transport | $130 | $110 | +18% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $210 | +10% |
| Monthly Total | $2,605 | $1,720 | +51% |
| Cost Index | 108 | 84 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Fishers offers 50% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Fishers delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Fishers is estimated at
$62,000 vs $42,000 in Muncie.
| Metric | Fishers | Muncie |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $78,000 | $52,000 |
| Salary Needed | $62,000 | $42,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 72,222 idx | 61,905 idx |
| Household Income | $115,000 | $45,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1.2°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Muncie sees 1.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Fishers | Muncie |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 53.60°F | 52.40°F |
| Summer High | 83.80°F | 81.30°F |
| Winter Low | 20.50°F | 19.90°F |
| Rainfall | 38.40 in | 37.30 in |
| Snowfall | 19.80 in | 20.90 in |
| Sunny Days | 237 | 239 |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Muncie has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,500 minutes (75 hours) per year compared to Fishers.
For walkability, Fishers leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Fishers | Muncie |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 27 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Walkability | 48.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Fishers is the larger city
— approximately 1.6x the population of Muncie.
From a growth perspective, Fishers is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Fishers has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Fishers | Muncie |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 104,909 | 65,132 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.50% | — |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 33.5 |
| Unemployment | 3.20% | 4.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Fishers
Advantages
Consistently ranked among the safest cities in Indiana with exceptionally low crime rates per FBI reporting.
Hamilton Southeastern Schools and other local districts are top-rated statewide for academic performance.
Thriving technology and entrepreneurial ecosystem supported by the Indiana IoT Lab and local business incubators.
Extensive parks and recreation infrastructure, including the Nickel Plate Trail and Geist Reservoir access.
Vibrant downtown Nickel Plate District featuring dining, shopping, and regular community events.
Drawbacks
Housing costs and overall cost of living sit noticeably above the Indiana state average.
High degree of car dependency for daily commuting and errands outside of the central district.
Increasing traffic congestion along major thoroughfares during peak morning and evening commute hours.
Property tax rates in Hamilton County reflect high local service funding but add to homeownership costs.
Limited traditional public mass transit options connecting directly to broader regional employment hubs.
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.
Fishers
#40Indiana, USA
71.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,650
Avg Salary
$78,000
Cost Index
108
Commute
27 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
48.0/100
Sunny Days
237/yr
Avg Temp
53.60°F
Pop. Growth
1.50%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
88
Business
80
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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