City Comparison
Muncie vs Kokomo
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Kokomo scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Muncie
Kokomo
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Muncie is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
6% lower than in Kokomo.
Housing costs are a major driver: Muncie's average rent is
11% lower than Kokomo's.
| Metric | Muncie | Kokomo | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $850 | $950 | -11% |
| Groceries | $380 | $380 | 0% |
| Utilities | $170 | $170 | 0% |
| Transport | $110 | $110 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $210 | $220 | -5% |
| Monthly Total | $1,720 | $1,830 | -6% |
| Cost Index | 84 | 84 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Kokomo offers 10% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Kokomo delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Muncie is estimated at
$42,000 vs $45,000 in Kokomo.
| Metric | Muncie | Kokomo |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $52,000 | $58,000 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 61,905 idx | 69,048 idx |
| Household Income | $45,500 | $57,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.2°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Kokomo sees 1.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Muncie | Kokomo |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 52.40°F | 52.60°F |
| Summer High | 81.30°F | 82.00°F |
| Winter Low | 19.90°F | 19.30°F |
| Rainfall | 37.30 in | 32.40 in |
| Snowfall | 20.90 in | 22.80 in |
| Sunny Days | 239 | 247 |
| Humidity | 70.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Muncie scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
| Metric | Muncie | Kokomo |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | 35.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Muncie is the larger city
— approximately 1.1x the population of Kokomo.
From a growth perspective, Kokomo is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Kokomo has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Muncie | Kokomo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 65,132 | 59,610 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 39.0 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 4.00% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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.
Kokomo
Advantages
Median home prices are substantially lower than the national average, per recent Zillow housing data.
Major investments in EV battery manufacturing are driving modern industrial job growth in the region.
An affordable cost of living allows residents to enjoy strong purchasing power on housing and everyday goods.
Abundant local parks, sports complexes, and the Wildcat Creek trail system support an active outdoor lifestyle.
Convenient access via US-31 allows for easy commuting and travel to the greater Indianapolis metropolitan area.
Drawbacks
Public transportation options are limited, making car ownership practically mandatory for daily life.
Local employment remains heavily tied to the automotive and manufacturing sectors, creating cyclical economic exposure.
Extreme winter weather conditions include regular snowfall and freezing temperatures requiring winter preparedness.
Entertainment and nightlife options are limited compared to larger metropolitan hubs.
Average educational attainment rates trail national benchmarks in certain specialized technical fields.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
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
Kokomo
#216Indiana, USA
63.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$58,000
Cost Index
84
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
40.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
247/yr
Avg Temp
52.60°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
4.00%
Livability
73
Business
67
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