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

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $888 (excluding rent), and $1,660 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,147 (excluding rent), and $4,560 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$14.27 $14.27

$10.19 $10.19

$30.57 $30.57

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$59.8 $59.8

$39.87 $39.87

$79.8 $79.8

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.88 $7.88

$10.84 $10.84

Cappuccino

$3.66 $3.66

$1.95 $1.95

$5.86 $5.86

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

$1.68 $1.68

$1.51 $1.51

$5.04 $5.04

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.82 $1.82

$0.97 $0.97

$4.85 $4.85

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$4.1 $4.1

$3.07 $3.07

$10.24 $10.24

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$6.07 $6.07

$5.06 $5.06

$12.14 $12.14

Milk (1 liter)

$0.64 $0.64

$0.57 $0.57

$1.02 $1.02

White Bread (500g)

$2.58 $2.58

$2.02 $2.02

$5.08 $5.08

Rice (white) (1kg)

$3.92 $3.92

$2.13 $2.13

$6.74 $6.74

Eggs

$3.19 $3.19

$1.85 $1.85

$6.84 $6.84

Local Cheese (1kg)

$10.38 $10.38

$8.85 $8.85

$22.12 $22.12

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$9.48 $9.48

$4.38 $4.38

$17.61 $17.61

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$15.46 $15.46

$11.05 $11.05

$19.87 $19.87

Apples (1kg)

$3.92 $3.92

$2.94 $2.94

$8.84 $8.84

Banana (1kg)

$1.24 $1.24

$1.13 $1.13

$3.39 $3.39

Oranges (1kg)

$3.82 $3.82

$0.97 $0.97

$7.49 $7.49

Tomato (1kg)

$3.56 $3.56

$6.65 $6.65

Potato (1kg)

$2 $2

$1.07 $1.07

$6.43 $6.43

Onion (1kg)

$2.49 $2.49

$2.18 $2.18

$4.38 $4.38

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.8 $1.8

$1.31 $1.31

$2.01 $2.01

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.4 $1.4

$0.59 $0.59

$2.53 $2.53

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$8.9 $8.9

$8.41 $8.41

$9.84 $9.84

Wine (Bottle)

$12.24 $12.24

$8.16 $8.16

$16.32 $16.32

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2 $2

$1.7 $1.7

$2.52 $2.52

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.85 $1.85

$1.53 $1.53

$4.11 $4.11

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.94 $1.94

$1.21 $1.21

$1.94 $1.94

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$17.98 $17.98

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.73 $3.73

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.29 $1.29

$2.22 $2.22

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$24.92 $24.92

$29.91 $29.91

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.87 $0.87

$0.72 $0.72

$1.05 $1.05

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

$35K $35K

$23.5K $23.5K

$36.1K $36.1K

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

$25.1K $25.1K

$24K $24K

$25.2K $25.2K

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

$122 $122

$81.6 $81.6

$228 $228

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

$56.3 $56.3

$34.69 $34.69

$99.1 $99.1

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$57 $57

$45.5 $45.5

$85.9 $85.9

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$44.89 $44.89

$18.27 $18.27

$52.2 $52.2

Cinema Ticket

$10.95 $10.95

$15.93 $15.93

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

$1,587 $1,587

$1,418 $1,418

$1,666 $1,666

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$17.8K $17.8K

$9,177 $9,177

$19.9K $19.9K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$40.33 $40.33

$19.63 $19.63

$73.6 $73.6

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$39.52 $39.52

$33.59 $33.59

$74.1 $74.1

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$84.9 $84.9

$64.9 $64.9

$130 $130

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$103 $103

$71.2 $71.2

$122 $122

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$995 $995

$758 $758

$1,233 $1,233

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$660 $660

$348 $348

$973 $973

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,664 $2,664

$2,026 $2,026

$3,039 $3,039

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,220 $2,220

$1,698 $1,698

$2,497 $2,497

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,122 $3,122

$2,230 $2,230

$3,122 $3,122

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,117 $2,117

$1,637 $1,637

$2,117 $2,117

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$7,045 $7,045

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

5.6

7.4

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

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.