Cost of Living in Brown County, Indiana
At a Glance
Rent burden measured as median gross rent as a percentage of renter household income (Census ACS B25071)
These figures are county medians, not a personal budget. Use them to frame rent, ownership, and income tradeoffs, then account for household size, commute, financing, insurance, taxes, debt, and local availability before making a decision.
How Brown County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
Brown County ranks #2,058 of 3,142 counties for affordability (bottom 35%)
Sourced county brief
Brown County Official Median GRAPI Calculated at 31.6 Percent
Brown County’s official median gross rent as a percentage of household income (GRAPI) is 31.6 percent, which is 4.7 percentage points higher than the Indiana unweighted county mean of 26.9 percent. The median gross rent was estimated at $895 per month, slightly below the state unweighted county mean of $911. Median home values are $269,100, while the state unweighted county mean is $191,899. Monthly owner costs for all owner-occupied units are $1,093, which is $142 above the state unweighted county mean of $951. The median income for renter-households is $37,315. This report uses standard ACS metrics to profile housing costs as a snapshot of the 2020-2024 period and does not offer market forecasts or relocation advice. See ACS table B25071 for the underlying estimate.
Source record
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25064 Median Gross Rent
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25071 GRAPI
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25077 Median Home Value
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25088 Selected Monthly Owner Costs
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25119 Household Income by Tenure
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-brief-v1
Cost of Living Advisory: Brown County
Affordability Verdict
ACS B25071 estimates median gross rent at 31.6% of renter household income in Brown County, which is between the 30% and 50% rent-burden benchmarks. This is a median percentage among renter-occupied units, not the share of households above a threshold.
Rent vs. Own
Median gross rent is $895 per month; median selected monthly owner costs are $1,093. These ACS medians describe different tenure groups and are not a personalized rent-versus-buy calculation.
Income Needed
Using the common 30% budgeting benchmark, $35,800 in annual gross income would allocate 30% to the county's median gross rent. This is a reproducible illustration, not evidence that a particular household can afford housing.
Regional Context
The Indiana unweighted mean of county median rents is $911 per month. Brown County's $895 median is 1.7% below that comparison value.
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-advisory-v2
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Brown County
Rent Burden
13.7%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$1,832
per month
Owner Cost Burden
16.7%
of gross income
The median home in Brown County may be a stretch
Median home value is $269,100. Estimated monthly cost: $2,148 vs. your max of $1,832.
Rent Affordability Guide
Income Needed Calculator
See how much you need to earn to comfortably afford housing
$0/yr
Needed to stay within recommended threshold
$0/yr
Needed to stay within recommended threshold
$0/yr
Needed to stay within recommended threshold
Based on the 30% rule for rent and 28% rule for housing costs (mortgage + owner costs). Mortgage estimate assumes 20% down, 7.2% interest, 30-year fixed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Brown County, Indiana?
What is the median rent in Brown County?
Is Brown County affordable?
How does Brown County's rent compare to the state average?
What is the median home value in Brown County?
Counties with Similar Housing Costs
Planning a Move?
Researching the cost of living in Brown County, Indiana? Compare moving quotes from top providers and save on your relocation.
Compare Moving QuotesCompare Mortgage Rates in Brown County
Whether you're buying in Brown County, Indiana, or refinancing, compare rates from top lenders using the terms each lender provides.
See Today's RatesData: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2020-2024). Data is informational only and is not personalized financial advice.
CostByCounty participates in affiliate programs. We may earn a commission when you use our links, at no extra cost to you.