City Comparison
Hammond vs Kokomo
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Kokomo scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Hammond
Kokomo
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Kokomo is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
15% lower than in Hammond.
Housing costs are a major driver: Hammond's average rent is
32% higher than Kokomo's.
| Metric | Hammond | Kokomo | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,250 | $950 | +32% |
| Groceries | $380 | $380 | 0% |
| Utilities | $175 | $170 | +3% |
| Transport | $110 | $110 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $220 | +5% |
| Monthly Total | $2,145 | $1,830 | +17% |
| Cost Index | 88 | 84 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Hammond offers similar 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 Hammond is estimated at
$48,000 vs $45,000 in Kokomo.
| Metric | Hammond | Kokomo |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,000 | $58,000 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 65,909 idx | 69,048 idx |
| Household Income | $54,500 | $57,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1.1°F of each other.
For sunshine, Hammond comes out ahead with 13 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Hammond sees 5.4 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Hammond | Kokomo |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.50°F | 52.60°F |
| Summer High | 81.80°F | 82.00°F |
| Winter Low | 18.50°F | 19.30°F |
| Rainfall | 33.50 in | 32.40 in |
| Snowfall | 28.20 in | 22.80 in |
| Sunny Days | 260 | 247 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Kokomo has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to Hammond.
Hammond scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Hammond leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Hammond | Kokomo |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 27 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 52.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 35.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Hammond is the larger city
— approximately 1.3x 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 | Hammond | Kokomo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 77,879 | 59,610 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 39.0 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 4.00% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Hammond
Advantages
Significantly lower housing and cost of living compared to nearby Chicago
Excellent commuter rail access via the South Shore Line
Abundant recreational opportunities at Wolf Lake and Hammond Marina
Presence of Purdue University Northwest fostering educational and cultural vitality
Strategic location with robust highway and freight logistics infrastructure
Drawbacks
Property tax rates can fluctuate based on local municipal and school district bonds
Certain commercial corridors experience higher property vacancy rates requiring ongoing revitalization
Winters can be harsh with significant snowfall driven by lake-effect weather patterns
Industrial legacy requires continuous environmental monitoring and remediation efforts
Average household incomes trail the broader national metropolitan average
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.
Hammond
#401Indiana, USA
58.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,250
Avg Salary
$58,000
Cost Index
88
Commute
27 min
Transit Score
52.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
260/yr
Avg Temp
51.50°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
70
Business
65
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
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Hammond and Kokomo.
Open Cost Calculator