Best Cities for Registered Nurses in Indiana
Ranked by affordability — cost of living, rent, and net income on a $77,000 salary
Indiana has 12 metro areas with full cost-of-living data. For registered nurses earning around $77,000 annually, Terre Haute stands out as the most affordable option with a cost-of-living index of 56.8 and $52,743 left after taxes and rent. 12 cities in Indiana sit below the national average cost of living, giving registered nurses more purchasing power per dollar earned. Indianapolis-Carmel is the priciest metro at 87.0 on the index, 30 points above Terre Haute.
City Rankings by Affordability
Full Comparison Table
| # | City | COL Index | 2BR Rent/mo |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Terre Haute | 56.8 | $1,094 |
| 2 | Muncie | 61.1 | $1,043 |
| 3 | Fort Wayne | 61.7 | $1,113 |
| 4 | Kokomo | 61.8 | $1,123 |
| 5 | Evansville | 61.9 | $1,113 |
| 6 | Columbus | 63.1 | $1,415 |
| 7 | Lafayette-West Lafayette | 71.0 | $1,242 |
| 8 | South Bend-Mishawaka | 71.5 | $1,292 |
| 9 | Michigan City-La Porte | 75.0 | $1,152 |
| 10 | Elkhart-Goshen | 77.0 | $1,183 |
| 11 | Bloomington | 81.2 | $1,210 |
| 12 | Indianapolis-Carmel | 87.0 | $1,473 |
Net income = $77,000 salary − federal & Indiana state taxes − annual 2BR rent. COL index: national avg = 100.
How We Rank Cities
Cities are ranked by the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, where 100 equals the national average. A lower score means your money goes further. Net income is calculated using a benchmark $77,000 salary for registered nurses who provide patient care in hospitals and clinics, after applying 2026 federal and Indiana state income tax brackets and subtracting HUD Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom apartment. Purchasing power adjusts net income for local price levels.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most affordable city in Indiana for registered nurses?
Terre Haute is the most affordable city in Indiana for registered nurses, with a cost-of-living index of 56.8 (national average = 100). On a $77,000 salary, you'd have approximately $52,743 after taxes and rent for a 2-bedroom apartment.
How much do registered nurses earn in Indiana?
Registered Nurses in Indiana earn around $77,000 per year on average. After federal and state taxes, and typical 2-bedroom rent costs (averaging $14,448 per year across the state), take-home spending money varies significantly by city—making location a critical factor.
How does cost of living vary across Indiana cities?
Across 12 metro areas in Indiana, the average cost-of-living index is 69 (national average = 100). The most affordable metro is Terre Haute at 56.8, while Indianapolis-Carmel is the most expensive at 87.0—a difference of 30 index points.
Other Rankings in Indiana
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