City Comparison
Terre Haute vs Muncie
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Terre Haute scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Terre Haute
Muncie
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Terre Haute is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
2% lower than in Muncie.
| Metric | Terre Haute | Muncie | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $850 | $850 | 0% |
| Groceries | $350 | $380 | -8% |
| Utilities | $165 | $170 | -3% |
| Transport | $110 | $110 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $210 | $210 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $1,685 | $1,720 | -2% |
| Cost Index | 84 | 84 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Terre Haute offers similar average salaries.
The minimum comfortable salary in Terre Haute is estimated at
$42,000 vs $42,000 in Muncie.
| Metric | Terre Haute | Muncie |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $52,000 | $52,000 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $42,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 61,905 idx | 61,905 idx |
| Household Income | $47,500 | $45,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 2.8°F of each other.
For sunshine, Terre Haute comes out ahead with 18 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Muncie sees 2.3 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Terre Haute | Muncie |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 55.20°F | 52.40°F |
| Summer High | 84.50°F | 81.30°F |
| Winter Low | 21.70°F | 19.90°F |
| Rainfall | 39.70 in | 37.30 in |
| Snowfall | 18.60 in | 20.90 in |
| Sunny Days | 257 | 239 |
| Humidity | 70.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 0 minutes of each other.
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 | Terre Haute | Muncie |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Walkability | 42.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Muncie is the larger city
— approximately 0.9x the population of Terre Haute.
From a growth perspective, Terre Haute is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Terre Haute has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Terre Haute | Muncie |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 58,380 | 65,132 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.20% | — |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 33.5 |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | 4.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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.
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.
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
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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