City Comparison
Gary vs Kokomo
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Kokomo scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Gary
Kokomo
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
| Metric | Gary | Kokomo | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $950 | 0% |
| Groceries | $380 | $380 | 0% |
| Utilities | $175 | $170 | +3% |
| Transport | $110 | $110 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $220 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $1,835 | $1,830 | 0% |
| Cost Index | 82 | 84 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Kokomo offers 22% 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 Gary is estimated at
$42,000 vs $45,000 in Kokomo.
| Metric | Gary | Kokomo |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $45,000 | $58,000 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 54,878 idx | 69,048 idx |
| Household Income | $37,500 | $57,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.9°F of each other.
For sunshine, Gary comes out ahead with 18 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Gary sees 7.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Gary | Kokomo |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.70°F | 52.60°F |
| Summer High | 81.10°F | 82.00°F |
| Winter Low | 19.60°F | 19.30°F |
| Rainfall | 32.30 in | 32.40 in |
| Snowfall | 30.70 in | 22.80 in |
| Sunny Days | 265 | 247 |
| Humidity | 70.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Kokomo has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Gary.
Gary scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
| Metric | Gary | Kokomo |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 38.00 | 35.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Gary is the larger city
— approximately 1.2x the population of Kokomo.
From a growth perspective, Kokomo is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Kokomo has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Gary | Kokomo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 69,093 | 59,610 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 39.0 | 39.0 |
| Unemployment | 6.20% | 4.00% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Gary
Advantages
Median home prices in Gary are significantly lower than the national average, per recent Zillow and Redfin housing market data.
Strategic geographic location offers direct proximity to Chicago via major rail and interstate transportation corridors.
Abundant natural recreational assets, including direct access to Lake Michigan beaches and proximity to the Indiana Dunes National Park.
Exceptional industrial and logistics infrastructure, anchored by the Gary/Chicago International Airport and major freight rail lines.
Rich cultural history and community legacy as a prominent center for music, arts, and civil rights history in the Midwest.
Drawbacks
Violent and property crime rates remain higher than the national median, according to FBI crime reporting data.
High concentration of vacant properties and urban blight presents ongoing challenges for municipal redevelopment.
Median household income trails behind state and national averages, reflecting post-industrial economic transitions.
Aging municipal infrastructure requires continuous capital investment for modernization and maintenance.
Limited local retail and dining options within city limits compared to adjacent suburban and metropolitan municipalities.
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.
Gary
#593Indiana, USA
42.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$45,000
Cost Index
82
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
265/yr
Avg Temp
51.70°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
6.20%
Livability
53
Business
48
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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