City Comparison
Jeffersonville vs Mishawaka
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Jeffersonville scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Jeffersonville
Mishawaka
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Mishawaka is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
12% lower than in Jeffersonville.
Housing costs are a major driver: Jeffersonville's average rent is
29% higher than Mishawaka's.
| Metric | Jeffersonville | Mishawaka | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,350 | $1,050 | +29% |
| Groceries | $380 | $390 | -3% |
| Utilities | $175 | $175 | 0% |
| Transport | $110 | $115 | -4% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $230 | -4% |
| Monthly Total | $2,235 | $1,960 | +14% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 92 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Jeffersonville offers 4% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Jeffersonville delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Jeffersonville is estimated at
$50,000 vs $48,000 in Mishawaka.
| Metric | Jeffersonville | Mishawaka |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,000 | $56,000 |
| Salary Needed | $50,000 | $48,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 63,043 idx | 60,870 idx |
| Household Income | $64,500 | $54,291 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Jeffersonville runs warmer on average — a 6.9°F difference year-round.
Winter severity differs too — Mishawaka sees 22.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Jeffersonville | Mishawaka |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 57.80°F | 50.90°F |
| Summer High | 86.20°F | 81.60°F |
| Winter Low | 26.80°F | 18.80°F |
| Rainfall | 52.90 in | 37.20 in |
| Snowfall | 18.70 in | 40.90 in |
| Sunny Days | 238 | 240 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
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 | Jeffersonville | Mishawaka |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 21 min |
| Transit Score | 40.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 53.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 41.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Mishawaka is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Jeffersonville is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Jeffersonville has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Jeffersonville | Mishawaka |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 49,870 | 51,021 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.40% | 0.27% |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 36.0 |
| Unemployment | 3.90% | 4.10% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Jeffersonville
Advantages
Affordable housing market with median home values comfortably below the national average per Zillow data
Prime location along the Ohio River with direct pedestrian and cycling access to Louisville via the Big Four Bridge
Rapid job growth and economic momentum driven by the continued expansion of the River Ridge Commerce Center
Vibrant and revitalized historic downtown district featuring local dining, craft breweries, and community events
Family-friendly residential neighborhoods featuring low crime rates and strong community engagement
Drawbacks
High car dependency outside of the walkable historic downtown core
Above-average annual rainfall of 52.9 inches requiring attentive property drainage management
Traffic congestion during peak morning and evening commute hours on major bridge routes into Louisville
Limited local public mass transit options for getting around without a personal vehicle
Upward pressure on rental and housing costs driven by steady regional population influx
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.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Jeffersonville
#169Indiana, USA
64.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,350
Avg Salary
$58,000
Cost Index
92
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
40.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
238/yr
Avg Temp
57.80°F
Pop. Growth
1.40%
Unemployment
3.90%
Livability
73
Business
70
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
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