Living in Gary, Indiana
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Gary · Census data 2020–2024
Gary has 68,113 residents with a median age of 36.5. The median household income is $38,731 (46% lower than the Indiana median), the median home value is $94,700, the median rent is $1,012/month.
Gary at a glance
- Population
- 68,113
- Median age
- 36.5State: 38.1
- Median household income
- $38,731State: $71,957
- Median home value
- $94,700State: $218,200
- Median rent
- $1,012/moState: $1,062
- Homeowners
- 49.1%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 14.8%
- Average commute
- 26 min
Is Gary a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 57% lower than the state median.
Cons: Median household income 46% lower than the Indiana median; an average commute of 26 minutes; unemployment of 11%; a poverty rate of 33.1%.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Gary
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Gary the median home value is $94,700, 72% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,012 per month, which is 36.4% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,175 a month in housing costs.
Gary median household income
The median household income in Gary is $38,731 and the income per person is $23,453. 33.1% of residents live below the poverty line (Indiana: 12.3%).
Housing in Gary: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 37,816
- Owner-occupied
- 49.1%
- Renter-occupied
- 50.9%
- Vacant
- 28%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1957
- Average household size
- 2.48
Gary demographics
- Population
- 68,113
- Median age
- 36.5
- Under 18
- 28.5%
- 65 and older
- 18.9%
- Households
- 27,227
- Foreign-born
- 2.4%
- Veterans
- 7.2%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Gary ›
Education in Gary
14.8% of adults 25 and older in Gary have a bachelor's degree or higher (Indiana: 29.5%), and 5% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Gary
- Unemployment rate
- 11%State: 4.3%
- Average commute
- 26 minState: 24 min
- Work from home
- 6.6%
- Drive alone
- 74.7%
- Public transit
- 1.9%
- Walk to work
- 1%
- Homes with broadband
- 82.2%
Gary vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gary | 68,113 | $38,731 | $94,700 | $1,012 |
| Ross | 6,751 | $54,563 | $119,100 | $1,101 |
| New Chicago | 2,225 | $57,313 | $134,100 | $1,141 |
| Lake Station | 13,185 | $59,591 | $137,400 | $1,124 |
| Griffith | 16,273 | $76,636 | $210,100 | $1,235 |
| Hobart | 29,558 | $75,160 | $215,200 | $1,206 |
| Highland | 23,680 | $78,062 | $233,300 | $1,230 |
| East Chicago | 26,022 | $42,125 | $105,400 | $854 |
| Hammond | 76,768 | $55,504 | $159,900 | $1,134 |
More for people moving to Gary
Gary ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Gary: FAQ
What is the median household income in Gary, IN?
The median household income in Gary is $38,731, 46% 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 Gary?
The median home value in Gary is $94,700, compared with $218,200 in Indiana.
How much is rent in Gary?
The median gross rent in Gary is $1,012 per month, about 36.4% of household income.
Is Gary, IN a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 57% lower than the state median. Minuses: median household income 46% lower than the Indiana median; an average commute of 26 minutes; unemployment of 11%; a poverty rate of 33.1%.
What is the median age in Gary?
The median age in Gary is 36.5 years (Indiana: 38.1).
How long is the commute in Gary?
The average commute to work in Gary is 26 minutes; 6.6% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Gary?
The unemployment rate in Gary is 11% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Gary?
14.8% of adults in Gary 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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