Living in East Chicago, Indiana
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of East Chicago · Census data 2020–2024
East Chicago has 26,022 residents with a median age of 36.5. The median household income is $42,125 (41% lower than the Indiana median), the median home value is $105,400, the median rent is $854/month.
East Chicago at a glance
- Population
- 26,022
- Median age
- 36.5State: 38.1
- Median household income
- $42,125State: $71,957
- Median home value
- $105,400State: $218,200
- Median rent
- $854/moState: $1,062
- Homeowners
- 42.9%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 10.7%
- Average commute
- 21 min
Is East Chicago a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 52% lower than the state median; an average commute of 21 minutes.
Cons: Median household income 41% lower than the Indiana median; unemployment of 7.7%; a poverty rate of 26.3%.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in East Chicago
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In East Chicago the median home value is $105,400, 68% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $854 per month, which is 30.2% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,153 a month in housing costs.
East Chicago median household income
The median household income in East Chicago is $42,125 and the income per person is $23,656. 26.3% of residents live below the poverty line (Indiana: 12.3%).
Housing in East Chicago: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 12,365
- Owner-occupied
- 42.9%
- Renter-occupied
- 57.1%
- Vacant
- 19.6%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1938
- Average household size
- 2.61
East Chicago demographics
- Population
- 26,022
- Median age
- 36.5
- Under 18
- 25.3%
- 65 and older
- 14.1%
- Households
- 9,943
- Foreign-born
- 16.4%
- Veterans
- 3.2%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of East Chicago ›
Education in East Chicago
10.7% of adults 25 and older in East Chicago have a bachelor's degree or higher (Indiana: 29.5%), and 3.4% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in East Chicago
- Unemployment rate
- 7.7%State: 4.3%
- Average commute
- 21 minState: 24 min
- Work from home
- 4.6%
- Drive alone
- 75.3%
- Public transit
- 1%
- Walk to work
- 1.5%
- Homes with broadband
- 78.5%
East Chicago vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| East Chicago | 26,022 | $42,125 | $105,400 | $854 |
| Whiting | 4,532 | $71,708 | $198,900 | $1,004 |
| Hammond | 76,768 | $55,504 | $159,900 | $1,134 |
| Burnham | 3,937 | $57,790 | $161,300 | $1,208 |
| Calumet City | 35,100 | $55,369 | $145,200 | $1,177 |
| Gary | 68,113 | $38,731 | $94,700 | $1,012 |
| Highland | 23,680 | $78,062 | $233,300 | $1,230 |
| Munster | 23,733 | $110,187 | $334,300 | $1,507 |
| Lansing | 28,284 | $75,569 | $177,000 | $1,268 |
More for people moving to East Chicago
East Chicago ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in East Chicago: FAQ
What is the median household income in East Chicago, IN?
The median household income in East Chicago is $42,125, 41% lower than the Indiana median of $71,957 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in East Chicago?
The median home value in East Chicago is $105,400, compared with $218,200 in Indiana.
How much is rent in East Chicago?
The median gross rent in East Chicago is $854 per month, about 30.2% of household income.
Is East Chicago, IN a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 52% lower than the state median; an average commute of 21 minutes. Minuses: median household income 41% lower than the Indiana median; unemployment of 7.7%; a poverty rate of 26.3%.
What is the median age in East Chicago?
The median age in East Chicago is 36.5 years (Indiana: 38.1).
How long is the commute in East Chicago?
The average commute to work in East Chicago is 21 minutes; 4.6% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in East Chicago?
The unemployment rate in East Chicago is 7.7% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is East Chicago?
10.7% of adults in East Chicago have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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