City Comparison
Mishawaka vs Muncie
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Mishawaka scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Mishawaka
Muncie
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Muncie is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
12% lower than in Mishawaka.
Housing costs are a major driver: Mishawaka's average rent is
24% higher than Muncie's.
| Metric | Mishawaka | Muncie | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,050 | $850 | +24% |
| Groceries | $390 | $380 | +3% |
| Utilities | $175 | $170 | +3% |
| Transport | $115 | $110 | +5% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $210 | +10% |
| Monthly Total | $1,960 | $1,720 | +14% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 84 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Mishawaka offers 8% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Muncie delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Mishawaka is estimated at
$48,000 vs $42,000 in Muncie.
| Metric | Mishawaka | Muncie |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $56,000 | $52,000 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $42,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 60,870 idx | 61,905 idx |
| Household Income | $54,291 | $45,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1.5°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Mishawaka sees 20 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Mishawaka | Muncie |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.90°F | 52.40°F |
| Summer High | 81.60°F | 81.30°F |
| Winter Low | 18.80°F | 19.90°F |
| Rainfall | 37.20 in | 37.30 in |
| Snowfall | 40.90 in | 20.90 in |
| Sunny Days | 240 | 239 |
| Humidity | 70.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Muncie has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Mishawaka.
For walkability, Mishawaka leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Mishawaka | Muncie |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 21 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Walkability | 53.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 41.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Muncie is the larger city
— approximately 0.8x the population of Mishawaka.
From a growth perspective, Mishawaka is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Mishawaka has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Mishawaka | Muncie |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 51,021 | 65,132 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.27% | — |
| Median Age | 36.0 | 33.5 |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | 4.20% |
| 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.
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.
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
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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