Cost of Living in Clay 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 Clay County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
Clay County ranks #1,706 of 3,142 counties for affordability (bottom 46%)
Sourced county brief
Clay County Official Rent Percentage Below Indiana Unweighted County Mean
The median gross rent as a percentage of household income (GRAPI) in Clay County is 23.7%. This official ACS B25071 estimate is 3.2 percentage points lower than the Indiana unweighted county mean of 26.9%. Median gross rent in the county was estimated at $873 per month, compared to a state unweighted county mean of $911. For property owners, the median home value is $153,000, which is below the state unweighted county mean of $191,899. Median selected monthly owner costs for all owner-occupied units are $897, which is below the state unweighted county mean of $951. The renter-household median income was estimated at $41,194 per year. These figures are snapshot values from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates. 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: Clay County
Affordability Verdict
ACS B25071 estimates median gross rent at 23.7% of renter household income in Clay County, which is below the 30% affordability benchmark. This is a median percentage among renter-occupied units, not the share of households above a threshold.
Rent vs. Own
Median gross rent is $873 per month; median selected monthly owner costs are $897. These ACS medians describe different tenure groups and are not a personalized rent-versus-buy calculation.
Income Needed
Using the common 30% budgeting benchmark, $34,920 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. Clay County's $873 median is 4.1% below that comparison value.
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-advisory-v2
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Clay County
Rent Burden
15.0%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$1,634
per month
Owner Cost Burden
15.4%
of gross income
You can likely afford the median home in Clay County
Median home value is $153,000. Estimated monthly cost: $1,221 vs. your max of $1,634.
Rent Affordability Guide
Income Needed Calculator
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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 Clay County, Indiana?
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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.
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