City Comparison
Mishawaka vs Anderson
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Anderson scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Mishawaka
Anderson
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Mishawaka is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
11% lower than in Anderson.
Housing costs are a major driver: Mishawaka's average rent is
10% higher than Anderson's.
| Metric | Mishawaka | Anderson | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,050 | $957 | +10% |
| Groceries | $390 | $401 | -3% |
| Utilities | $175 | $180 | -3% |
| Transport | $115 | $381 | -70% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $276 | -17% |
| Monthly Total | $1,960 | $2,195 | -11% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 84 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Mishawaka offers 12% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Mishawaka delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Mishawaka is estimated at
$48,000 vs $34,800 in Anderson.
| Metric | Mishawaka | Anderson |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $56,000 | $50,050 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $34,800 |
| Purchasing Power | 60,870 idx | 59,583 idx |
| Household Income | $54,291 | $46,909 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1.9°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Mishawaka sees 21.5 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Mishawaka | Anderson |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.90°F | 52.80°F |
| Summer High | 81.60°F | 82.50°F |
| Winter Low | 18.80°F | 19.90°F |
| Rainfall | 37.20 in | 36.20 in |
| Snowfall | 40.90 in | 19.40 in |
| Sunny Days | 240 | 241 |
| Humidity | 70.00% | 73.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Mishawaka has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Anderson.
Mishawaka scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Mishawaka leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Mishawaka | Anderson |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 21 min | 25 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 53.0/100 | 47.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 41.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Anderson is the larger city
— approximately 0.9x the population of Mishawaka.
From a growth perspective, Anderson is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Anderson has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Mishawaka | Anderson |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 51,021 | 56,404 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.27% | 0.45% |
| Median Age | 36.0 | 38.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | 3.70% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Mishawaka
Advantages
Median home prices and overall living costs remain significantly more affordable than the national average.
Extensive outdoor recreation is available via the scenic Riverwalk trail system along the St. Joseph River.
Proximity to the University of Notre Dame provides easy access to major collegiate sports, arts, and cultural events.
Strategic Midwestern location offers rapid highway access to Chicago, Indianapolis, and the Michigan border.
Comprehensive local healthcare infrastructure is anchored by the modern Franciscan Health Mishawaka facility.
Drawbacks
Winters feature heavy lake-effect snowfall, requiring active municipal snow removal and winter driving preparedness.
Public transit options are limited outside of main bus routes, resulting in high car dependency for daily commutes.
Local median household income trails state and national benchmarks, constraining broader wage growth.
Poverty rates in select older urban residential pockets slightly exceed national averages.
Retail-heavy corridors like Grape Road experience notable traffic congestion during peak holiday and weekend shopping hours.
Anderson
Advantages
Housing costs are significantly lower than the national average, making homeownership more accessible.
The overall cost of living in Anderson is 16% lower than the national average.
The city offers practical access to jobs and regional commuting convenience due to its location on the I-69 corridor.
Healthcare costs are more affordable than the US average, with two local hospitals providing comprehensive services.
Anderson has a diverse range of local amenities, parks, and cultural attractions, contributing to a balanced lifestyle.
Drawbacks
The median household income in Anderson is lower than the national and state averages.
The poverty rate in Anderson is higher than the state average.
While public transit exists, the city is largely car-dependent, with most residents driving to work.
Rent prices have seen a recent increase, with a 6.4% rise year over year as of October 2026.
The average salary in Anderson is lower than the national average.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Mishawaka
#305Indiana, USA
61.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,050
Avg Salary
$56,000
Cost Index
92
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
53.0/100
Sunny Days
240/yr
Avg Temp
50.90°F
Pop. Growth
0.27%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
75
Business
70
Anderson
#109Indiana, USA
67.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$957
Avg Salary
$50,050
Cost Index
84
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
40.0/100
Walkability
47.0/100
Sunny Days
241/yr
Avg Temp
52.80°F
Pop. Growth
0.45%
Unemployment
3.70%
Livability
74
Business
68
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