City Comparison
Noblesville vs Muncie
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Noblesville scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Noblesville
Muncie
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Muncie is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
31% lower than in Noblesville.
Housing costs are a major driver: Noblesville's average rent is
82% higher than Muncie's.
| Metric | Noblesville | Muncie | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,550 | $850 | +82% |
| Groceries | $420 | $380 | +11% |
| Utilities | $175 | $170 | +3% |
| Transport | $115 | $110 | +5% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $210 | +14% |
| Monthly Total | $2,500 | $1,720 | +45% |
| Cost Index | 98 | 84 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Noblesville offers 37% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Noblesville delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Noblesville is estimated at
$58,000 vs $42,000 in Muncie.
| Metric | Noblesville | Muncie |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $71,000 | $52,000 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $42,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 72,449 idx | 61,905 idx |
| Household Income | $94,500 | $45,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.8°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Muncie sees 1.7 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Noblesville | Muncie |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 53.20°F | 52.40°F |
| Summer High | 83.30°F | 81.30°F |
| Winter Low | 20.00°F | 19.90°F |
| Rainfall | 35.30 in | 37.30 in |
| Snowfall | 19.20 in | 20.90 in |
| Sunny Days | 241 | 239 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Muncie has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,000 minutes (83 hours) per year compared to Noblesville.
Muncie scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Muncie leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Noblesville | Muncie |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Walkability | 42.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 48.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Noblesville is the larger city
— approximately 1.1x the population of Muncie.
From a growth perspective, Noblesville is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Noblesville has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Noblesville | Muncie |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,000 | 65,132 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.30% | — |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 33.5 |
| Unemployment | 3.20% | 4.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Noblesville
Advantages
Consistently ranked among the safest cities in Indiana with low violent crime rates per census.gov data.
Top-rated public school district attracting families from across the Indianapolis metropolitan region.
Extensive outdoor recreation options including Morse Reservoir and Forest Park.
Vibrant and historic downtown square featuring local dining, boutiques, and community events.
Strong local job market backed by advanced manufacturing and healthcare employers.
Drawbacks
Higher housing costs and property taxes relative to the rest of Indiana.
High automobile dependency with limited public transit infrastructure within the city limits.
Increasing traffic congestion along major commuter corridors during peak travel hours.
Winter weather brings sustained cold temperatures and measurable snowfall requiring careful transit planning.
Limited rental housing inventory relative to surging population growth.
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.
Noblesville
#20Indiana, USA
73.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,550
Avg Salary
$71,000
Cost Index
98
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
241/yr
Avg Temp
53.20°F
Pop. Growth
2.30%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
81
Business
75
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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