City Comparison
Mishawaka vs Terre Haute
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Mishawaka scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Mishawaka
Terre Haute
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Terre Haute is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
14% lower than in Mishawaka.
Housing costs are a major driver: Mishawaka's average rent is
24% higher than Terre Haute's.
| Metric | Mishawaka | Terre Haute | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,050 | $850 | +24% |
| Groceries | $390 | $350 | +11% |
| Utilities | $175 | $165 | +6% |
| Transport | $115 | $110 | +5% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $210 | +10% |
| Monthly Total | $1,960 | $1,685 | +16% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 84 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Mishawaka offers 8% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Terre Haute 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 Terre Haute.
| Metric | Mishawaka | Terre Haute |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $56,000 | $52,000 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $42,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 60,870 idx | 61,905 idx |
| Household Income | $54,291 | $47,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 4.3°F of each other.
For sunshine, Terre Haute comes out ahead with 17 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Mishawaka sees 22.3 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Mishawaka | Terre Haute |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.90°F | 55.20°F |
| Summer High | 81.60°F | 84.50°F |
| Winter Low | 18.80°F | 21.70°F |
| Rainfall | 37.20 in | 39.70 in |
| Snowfall | 40.90 in | 18.60 in |
| Sunny Days | 240 | 257 |
| Humidity | 70.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Terre Haute has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Mishawaka.
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 | Terre Haute |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 21 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 53.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 41.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Terre Haute is the larger city
— approximately 0.9x the population of Mishawaka.
From a growth perspective, Mishawaka is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
| Metric | Mishawaka | Terre Haute |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 51,021 | 58,380 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.27% | 0.20% |
| Median Age | 36.0 | 35.5 |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | 4.10% |
| 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.
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.
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
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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