City Comparison
Gary vs Terre Haute
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Terre Haute scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Gary
Terre Haute
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Terre Haute is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
8% lower than in Gary.
Housing costs are a major driver: Gary's average rent is
12% higher than Terre Haute's.
| Metric | Gary | Terre Haute | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $850 | +12% |
| Groceries | $380 | $350 | +9% |
| Utilities | $175 | $165 | +6% |
| Transport | $110 | $110 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $210 | +5% |
| Monthly Total | $1,835 | $1,685 | +9% |
| Cost Index | 82 | 84 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Terre Haute offers 13% 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 Gary is estimated at
$42,000 vs $42,000 in Terre Haute.
| Metric | Gary | Terre Haute |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $45,000 | $52,000 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $42,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 54,878 idx | 61,905 idx |
| Household Income | $37,500 | $47,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 3.5°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Gary sees 12.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Gary | Terre Haute |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.70°F | 55.20°F |
| Summer High | 81.10°F | 84.50°F |
| Winter Low | 19.60°F | 21.70°F |
| Rainfall | 32.30 in | 39.70 in |
| Snowfall | 30.70 in | 18.60 in |
| Sunny Days | 265 | 257 |
| Humidity | 70.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Terre Haute has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,000 minutes (67 hours) per year compared to Gary.
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 | Terre Haute |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 38.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Gary is the larger city
— approximately 1.2x the population of Terre Haute.
From a growth perspective, Terre Haute is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Terre Haute has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Gary | Terre Haute |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 69,093 | 58,380 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.20% |
| Median Age | 39.0 | 35.5 |
| 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.
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.
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
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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