City Comparison
Gary vs Noblesville
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Noblesville scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Gary
Noblesville
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Gary is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
27% lower than in Noblesville.
Housing costs are a major driver: Gary's average rent is
39% lower than Noblesville's.
| Metric | Gary | Noblesville | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $1,550 | -39% |
| Groceries | $380 | $420 | -10% |
| Utilities | $175 | $175 | 0% |
| Transport | $110 | $115 | -4% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $240 | -8% |
| Monthly Total | $1,835 | $2,500 | -27% |
| Cost Index | 82 | 98 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Noblesville offers 37% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Noblesville delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Gary is estimated at
$42,000 vs $58,000 in Noblesville.
| Metric | Gary | Noblesville |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $45,000 | $71,000 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 54,878 idx | 72,449 idx |
| Household Income | $37,500 | $94,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1.5°F of each other.
For sunshine, Gary comes out ahead with 24 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Gary sees 11.5 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Gary | Noblesville |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.70°F | 53.20°F |
| Summer High | 81.10°F | 83.30°F |
| Winter Low | 19.60°F | 20.00°F |
| Rainfall | 32.30 in | 35.30 in |
| Snowfall | 30.70 in | 19.20 in |
| Sunny Days | 265 | 241 |
| Humidity | 70.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Gary scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Gary leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Gary | Noblesville |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 28 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 38.00 | 48.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Noblesville is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Noblesville is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Noblesville has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Gary | Noblesville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 69,093 | 71,000 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 2.30% |
| Median Age | 39.0 | 37.2 |
| Unemployment | 6.20% | 3.20% |
| 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.
Noblesville
Advantages
Consistently ranked among the safest cities in Indiana with low violent crime rates per census.gov data.
Top-rated public school district attracting families from across the Indianapolis metropolitan region.
Extensive outdoor recreation options including Morse Reservoir and Forest Park.
Vibrant and historic downtown square featuring local dining, boutiques, and community events.
Strong local job market backed by advanced manufacturing and healthcare employers.
Drawbacks
Higher housing costs and property taxes relative to the rest of Indiana.
High automobile dependency with limited public transit infrastructure within the city limits.
Increasing traffic congestion along major commuter corridors during peak travel hours.
Winter weather brings sustained cold temperatures and measurable snowfall requiring careful transit planning.
Limited rental housing inventory relative to surging population growth.
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
Noblesville
#20Indiana, USA
73.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,550
Avg Salary
$71,000
Cost Index
98
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
241/yr
Avg Temp
53.20°F
Pop. Growth
2.30%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
81
Business
75
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