City Comparison
Hammond vs Terre Haute
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Hammond scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Hammond
Terre Haute
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Terre Haute is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
21% lower than in Hammond.
Housing costs are a major driver: Hammond's average rent is
47% higher than Terre Haute's.
| Metric | Hammond | Terre Haute | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,250 | $850 | +47% |
| Groceries | $380 | $350 | +9% |
| Utilities | $175 | $165 | +6% |
| Transport | $110 | $110 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $210 | +10% |
| Monthly Total | $2,145 | $1,685 | +27% |
| 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 Terre Haute.
| Metric | Hammond | Terre Haute |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,000 | $52,000 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $42,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 65,909 idx | 61,905 idx |
| Household Income | $54,500 | $47,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 3.7°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Hammond sees 9.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Hammond | Terre Haute |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.50°F | 55.20°F |
| Summer High | 81.80°F | 84.50°F |
| Winter Low | 18.50°F | 21.70°F |
| Rainfall | 33.50 in | 39.70 in |
| Snowfall | 28.20 in | 18.60 in |
| Sunny Days | 260 | 257 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Terre Haute 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 | Terre Haute |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 27 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 52.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Hammond is the larger city
— approximately 1.3x 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 | Hammond | Terre Haute |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 77,879 | 58,380 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.20% |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 35.5 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 4.10% |
| 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
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.
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
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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