City Comparison
Gary vs Mishawaka
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Mishawaka scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Gary
Mishawaka
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Gary is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
6% lower than in Mishawaka.
Housing costs are a major driver: Gary's average rent is
10% lower than Mishawaka's.
| Metric | Gary | Mishawaka | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $1,050 | -10% |
| Groceries | $380 | $390 | -3% |
| Utilities | $175 | $175 | 0% |
| Transport | $110 | $115 | -4% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $230 | -4% |
| Monthly Total | $1,835 | $1,960 | -6% |
| Cost Index | 82 | 92 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Mishawaka offers 20% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Mishawaka delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Gary is estimated at
$42,000 vs $48,000 in Mishawaka.
| Metric | Gary | Mishawaka |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $45,000 | $56,000 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $48,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 54,878 idx | 60,870 idx |
| Household Income | $37,500 | $54,291 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.8°F of each other.
For sunshine, Gary comes out ahead with 25 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Mishawaka sees 10.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Gary | Mishawaka |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.70°F | 50.90°F |
| Summer High | 81.10°F | 81.60°F |
| Winter Low | 19.60°F | 18.80°F |
| Rainfall | 32.30 in | 37.20 in |
| Snowfall | 30.70 in | 40.90 in |
| Sunny Days | 265 | 240 |
| Humidity | 70.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Mishawaka has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Gary.
For walkability, Mishawaka leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Gary | Mishawaka |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 21 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 53.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 38.00 | 41.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Gary is the larger city
— approximately 1.4x the population of Mishawaka.
From a growth perspective, Mishawaka is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Mishawaka has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Gary | Mishawaka |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 69,093 | 51,021 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.27% |
| Median Age | 39.0 | 36.0 |
| Unemployment | 6.20% | 4.10% |
| 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.
Mishawaka
Advantages
Median home prices and overall living costs remain significantly more affordable than the national average.
Extensive outdoor recreation is available via the scenic Riverwalk trail system along the St. Joseph River.
Proximity to the University of Notre Dame provides easy access to major collegiate sports, arts, and cultural events.
Strategic Midwestern location offers rapid highway access to Chicago, Indianapolis, and the Michigan border.
Comprehensive local healthcare infrastructure is anchored by the modern Franciscan Health Mishawaka facility.
Drawbacks
Winters feature heavy lake-effect snowfall, requiring active municipal snow removal and winter driving preparedness.
Public transit options are limited outside of main bus routes, resulting in high car dependency for daily commutes.
Local median household income trails state and national benchmarks, constraining broader wage growth.
Poverty rates in select older urban residential pockets slightly exceed national averages.
Retail-heavy corridors like Grape Road experience notable traffic congestion during peak holiday and weekend shopping hours.
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
Mishawaka
#305Indiana, USA
61.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,050
Avg Salary
$56,000
Cost Index
92
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
53.0/100
Sunny Days
240/yr
Avg Temp
50.90°F
Pop. Growth
0.27%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
75
Business
70
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