A+
1%
Overall NAT. AVG.
4%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
4%
Housing NAT. AVG.
Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Plainfield Indiana National
Cost of living9990100
Goods & Services9694100
Groceries10098100
Health care8996100
Housing10472100
Transportation9695100
Utilities104107100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Plainfield, IN

Getting a feel for the cost of living in Plainfield is essential for anyone planning to relocate, as it empowers them to make informed financial decisions, secure a comfortable lifestyle and maintain financial stability in their new environment. The cost of living in Plainfield is 99, which is 1% lower than the national average. Relocating individuals may need to adjust their savings and investment strategies based on the cost of living in the new location. It influences decisions about retirement planning, investments and financial goals.

Everyday expenditures like food, housing, goods and services, transportation and health care in Plainfield are priced in a manner consistent with other areas. This means that residents of Plainfield can anticipate their daily expenses remaining reasonably similar to those in an average city, thereby supporting a manageable cost of living.

Is Plainfield Affordable?

Is Plainfield affordable? This is a pivotal question, especially when mulling over a move, as affordability carries substantial weight in your decision-making process. Factors such as the cost of living index (discussed earlier), housing expenses and income levels all contribute to a location's affordability. For instance, in Plainfield, the median home price is 0.6% higher than the national average and monthly rent prices are 11% higher than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with Plainfield boasting a median household income of $65,306, 18% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Plainfield?

Subsidies: Some areas might offer government subsidies or assistance programs that help lower cost of living for residents. These programs can include anything from Medicare, Medicaid, housing subsidies, low-income home energy assistance programs, school lunch programs, supplemental nutrition assistance programs, student loans, electric vehicle tax credits, affordable care act subsidies and crop subsidies. Areas that offer less subsidies, could see an increase in their cost of living.

Groceries: The costs associated with groceries have witnessed substantial increases over the past 2-3 years. In select markets, food prices have escalated by more than 20% during this timeframe, whereas others have seen more restrained upticks. The variances in food expenses can exert a considerable influence on the overall cost of living in a given locale. In Plainfield, the groceries index is 0.1% higher than the national average.

Taxes: Cities that impose higher taxes, including sales and income taxes, can contribute to an escalated cost of living. The added expense of taxes on everyday goods like clothing and food naturally results in higher overall costs. Similarly, a higher income tax rate can further elevate the cost of living. In Plainfield, the general sales tax rate starts at 7%, and income tax rates begin at 3.23%.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living data in Plainfield displayed above is sourced from the C2ER cost of living index, which serves as a practical tool for comparing living expenses across urban areas. Published on a quarterly basis, this index aggregates data from over 300 independent researchers, encompassing more than 60 goods and services, in 6 different categories. The weightings assigned to cost differences rely on government survey data that tracks the spending habits of professional and executive households. It's worth noting that the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, while AreaVibes integrates tax rates into the overall cost of living evaluation for each region.

Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Plainfield is 11% higher than the Indiana average
  • The cost of living in Plainfield is 1% lower than the national average
  • Plainfield housing is 4% higher than the national average
  • Indiana general sales tax is 37% higher than the national average
  • Indiana state income tax is 21% higher than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Plainfield

See all the best places to live around Plainfield

Compare Plainfield, IN Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

          This is how much you would need to earn in
          Price difference in compared to
          Cost of living index
          Goods & Services index
          Groceries index
          Health care index
          Housing index
          Transportation index
          Utilities index

          Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

          Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
          Owners$81,107$6,759$1,892$2,433
          Renters$49,580$4,132$1,157$1,488
          A good way to judge both the affordability of the housing and the cost of living in Plainfield is by simply calculating the maximum that should be spent on housing, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). The plan is to avoid spending more than 28 percent of the gross income on costs that pertain to housing and no more than 36 percent on all expenses and debts. Plainfield has a median income of about $81,107 for people who own homes. Based on that number, a maximum of $1,892 should be spent on expenses related to housing. Renters have a slightly different median income, which is $49,580. Based on this average, renters should spend no more than $1,157 on all rental costs if they want to maintain a non-impoverished standard of living.

          Indiana Sales Tax

          State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
          Indiana 7% 7%

          Indiana Income Tax

          State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
          Indiana 3.15% 3.15%

          Goods & Services

          Item Plainfield National avg. Difference
          Haircut $19.53$24.2619.5%
          Beauty Salon $39.03$45.5614.3%
          Toothpaste $3.67$3.700.9%
          Shampoo $1.33$1.284.1%
          Movie $10.91$12.1310.1%
          Bowling $18.70$18.003.9%

          Groceries

          Item Plainfield National avg. Difference
          Ground Beef $5.91$5.841.3%
          Fried Chicken $1.61$1.572.4%
          Milk $4.73$4.671.3%
          Potatoes $5.07$4.932.7%
          Pizza $12.39$12.092.5%
          Beer $10.30$10.411.1%

          Health Care

          Item Plainfield National avg. Difference
          Optometrist $73.37$125.6841.6%
          Doctor $99.19$135.7826.9%
          Dentist $109.26$113.293.6%
          Ibuprofen $10.70$10.650.4%
          Lipitor $509.36$468.608.7%

          Housing

          Item Plainfield National avg. Difference
          Home Price $185,800.00$184,700.000.6%
          Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,794.91$2,346.6923.5%
          Apartment Rent $1,053.00$949.0011.0%

          Transportation

          Item Plainfield National avg. Difference
          Gasoline $3.39$3.462.2%
          Tire Balancing $54.63$59.928.8%

          Utilities

          Item Plainfield National avg. Difference
          All Electricity $207.03$193.996.7%
          Phone $190.02$192.251.2%
          Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

          Nearby cities with low cost of living

          City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
          Brooklyn, IN2,6338712.6%
          Stilesville, IN2978811.6%
          New Whiteland, IN6,1788911.1%
          Clermont, IN1,365918.9%
          North Salem, IN421918.9%
          Plainfield, IN34,224990.8%

          Cities with similar population

          City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
          Stratford, ON34,224n/a 
          Chillum, MD34,23012828.5%
          Kennesaw, GA34,2321044.1%
          Adelanto, CA34,23811616.5%
          Wenatchee, WA34,24911817.6%
          Plainfield, IN34,224990.8%
          Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.