Cost of Living in Muncie, IN - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $796 (excluding rent), and $1,642 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,961 (excluding rent), and $4,496 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$14.03 $14.03

$10.02 $10.02

$30.07 $30.07

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$59 $59

$39.34 $39.34

$78.7 $78.7

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$8.03 $8.03

$11.04 $11.04

Cappuccino

$3.79 $3.79

$2.02 $2.02

$6.06 $6.06

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.63 $1.63

$1.46 $1.46

$4.87 $4.87

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.93 $1.93

$1.03 $1.03

$5.14 $5.14

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$3.9 $3.9

$2.93 $2.93

$9.76 $9.76

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$5.87 $5.87

$4.89 $4.89

$11.74 $11.74

Milk (1 liter)

$0.68 $0.68

$0.61 $0.61

$1.09 $1.09

White Bread (500g)

$2.46 $2.46

$1.93 $1.93

$4.85 $4.85

Rice (white) (1kg)

$3.75 $3.75

$2.04 $2.04

$6.45 $6.45

Eggs

$3.31 $3.31

$1.92 $1.92

$7.1 $7.1

Local Cheese (1kg)

$10.44 $10.44

$8.9 $8.9

$22.24 $22.24

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$9.61 $9.61

$4.44 $4.44

$17.84 $17.84

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$15.16 $15.16

$10.83 $10.83

$19.49 $19.49

Apples (1kg)

$4 $4

$3.01 $3.01

$9.04 $9.04

Banana (1kg)

$1.2 $1.2

$1.09 $1.09

$3.27 $3.27

Oranges (1kg)

$4.02 $4.02

$1.02 $1.02

$7.88 $7.88

Tomato (1kg)

$3.49 $3.49

$6.51 $6.51

Potato (1kg)

$2 $2

$1.07 $1.07

$6.42 $6.42

Onion (1kg)

$2.53 $2.53

$2.22 $2.22

$4.45 $4.45

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.8 $1.8

$1.32 $1.32

$2.02 $2.02

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.45 $1.45

$0.61 $0.61

$2.63 $2.63

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$9.18 $9.18

$8.67 $8.67

$10.15 $10.15

Wine (Bottle)

$13.9 $13.9

$8.84 $8.84

$15.9 $15.9

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.1 $2.1

$1.78 $1.78

$2.65 $2.65

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.79 $1.79

$1.48 $1.48

$3.98 $3.98

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.97 $1.97

$1.23 $1.23

$1.97 $1.97

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$18.32 $18.32

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.7 $3.7

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.29 $1.29

$2.23 $2.23

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$25.45 $25.45

$30.54 $30.54

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.88 $0.88

$0.73 $0.73

$1.06 $1.06

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$34.4K $34.4K

$23.1K $23.1K

$35.5K $35.5K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$25.4K $25.4K

$24.2K $24.2K

$25.4K $25.4K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$120 $120

$80.8 $80.8

$225 $225

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$57.6 $57.6

$35.5 $35.5

$101 $101

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$56.5 $56.5

$45.1 $45.1

$85.2 $85.2

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$42.66 $42.66

$17.36 $17.36

$49.6 $49.6

Cinema Ticket

$10.79 $10.79

$15.7 $15.7

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$1,539 $1,539

$1,376 $1,376

$1,615 $1,615

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$17.5K $17.5K

$9,029 $9,029

$19.6K $19.6K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$41.28 $41.28

$20.09 $20.09

$75.4 $75.4

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$40.34 $40.34

$34.29 $34.29

$75.7 $75.7

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$85.8 $85.8

$65.6 $65.6

$131 $131

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$103 $103

$71.2 $71.2

$122 $122

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,002 $1,002

$763 $763

$1,241 $1,241

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$666 $666

$350 $350

$981 $981

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,648 $2,648

$2,014 $2,014

$3,021 $3,021

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,213 $2,213

$1,693 $1,693

$2,490 $2,490

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,213 $1,213

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,212 $1,212

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,204 $5,204

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

5.6

7.4

Citycost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update: November 30, 2025

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

🌎 North america

Cost of Living in Muncie, IN - Frequently Asked Questions

Compared with many coastal cities and big metros, Muncie offers a calmer pace and space to stretch your dollar. You may find housing options that balance affordability and character, from older downtown apartments to family-friendly homes in quiet neighborhoods. Utilities, groceries, and local services tend to follow a moderate rhythm, especially if you choose a modest apartment or shared housing. The campus town vibe means you’ll encounter students and remote workers mixing in cafés and libraries. If you value shorter commutes and a tight-knit community, you might find the overall cost and lifestyle a good fit. Cost of Living in [location] can serve as a quick frame when you compare options. Tip: Start with short-term stays to test neighborhoods before committing.

During a typical week, you search for housing by checking online listings, campus bulletin boards, and local word-of-mouth. Consider neighborhoods near Ball State campus for shorter commutes, or more residential zones for quieter evenings; both offer different vibes and pricing patterns. Shopping happens at regional grocery stores and farmers markets with seasonal produce, while dining ranges from home-cooked meals to casual eateries. Public transport is practical if you stay near core routes, but many prefer a car or bike for flexibility. For work or study, cafés, libraries, and small coworking spaces provide reliable options. [location] living cost becomes a practical lens to balance rent, meals, and transit. Tip: Build a one-page budget and track it weekly.

Quality of life in Muncie tends to blend affordable living with a genuine sense of community. Build a budgeting framework around predictable monthly essentials like housing, utilities, groceries, and transport, then adapt for seasonality – heating in winter, cooling in summer, and outdoor activities in milder months. Save by choosing a smaller apartment, sharing utilities with roommates, cooking at home, and buying in-season produce from local markets. Neighborhood fit matters: downtown areas may buzz with events and cafés, while quiet residential streets offer calmer evenings and shorter commutes. Tip: Observe different neighborhoods during both weekdays and weekends to find your best balance of pace, safety, and access to services.