City Comparison
Hammond vs Muncie
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Hammond scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Hammond
Muncie
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Muncie is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
20% lower than in Hammond.
Housing costs are a major driver: Hammond's average rent is
47% higher than Muncie's.
| Metric | Hammond | Muncie | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,250 | $850 | +47% |
| Groceries | $380 | $380 | 0% |
| Utilities | $175 | $170 | +3% |
| Transport | $110 | $110 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $210 | +10% |
| Monthly Total | $2,145 | $1,720 | +25% |
| Cost Index | 88 | 84 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Hammond offers 12% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Hammond delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Hammond is estimated at
$48,000 vs $42,000 in Muncie.
| Metric | Hammond | Muncie |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,000 | $52,000 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $42,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 65,909 idx | 61,905 idx |
| Household Income | $54,500 | $45,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.9°F of each other.
For sunshine, Hammond comes out ahead with 21 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Hammond sees 7.3 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Hammond | Muncie |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.50°F | 52.40°F |
| Summer High | 81.80°F | 81.30°F |
| Winter Low | 18.50°F | 19.90°F |
| Rainfall | 33.50 in | 37.30 in |
| Snowfall | 28.20 in | 20.90 in |
| Sunny Days | 260 | 239 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Muncie has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,500 minutes (75 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 | Muncie |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 27 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 52.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Hammond is the larger city
— approximately 1.2x the population of Muncie.
From a growth perspective, Hammond is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Muncie has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Hammond | Muncie |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 77,879 | 65,132 |
| Pop. Growth | — | — |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 33.5 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 4.20% |
| 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
Muncie
Advantages
Median home prices and overall cost of living are significantly lower than the national average per US Census and Zillow data.
Presence of Ball State University brings cultural events, art galleries, and Division I athletics to the local community.
Extensive outdoor recreation opportunities via the Cardinal Greenway trail system.
Short average commute times with minimal traffic congestion compared to larger metro areas.
Robust healthcare infrastructure anchored by IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital.
Drawbacks
Violent and property crime rates in certain neighborhoods exceed national averages.
Local median household incomes lag behind the national average.
Limited high-paying career opportunities outside of healthcare, education, and light manufacturing.
Winters can be cold and snowy, typical of the central Indiana climate.
Public transit options are limited outside of core bus routes and university shuttles.
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
Muncie
#483Indiana, USA
53.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$850
Avg Salary
$52,000
Cost Index
84
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
239/yr
Avg Temp
52.40°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
69
Business
64
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