Cost of Living in Starke 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 Starke County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
Starke County ranks #948 of 3,142 counties for affordability (top 30%)
Sourced county brief
Starke County Median Home Value Estimated at $157,700
Median home value in Starke County was estimated at $157,700 during the 2020-2024 period. This value is $34,199 below the Indiana unweighted county mean of $191,899. Among renters, the median gross rent was recorded at $712 per month, while the state unweighted county mean was $911. The official median gross rent as a percentage of household income (GRAPI) reached 24.0%, representing a difference of 2.9 percentage points from the state unweighted county mean official GRAPI of 26.9%. Median selected monthly owner costs for all owner-occupied units were $852, which is below the state unweighted county mean of $951. Renter-household income for the period was $33,117. All percentage figures for rent burden in this report are official ACS B25071 estimates and do not represent derived figures. 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: Starke County
Affordability Verdict
ACS B25071 estimates median gross rent at 24.0% of renter household income in Starke 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 $712 per month; median selected monthly owner costs are $852. These ACS medians describe different tenure groups and are not a personalized rent-versus-buy calculation.
Income Needed
Using the common 30% budgeting benchmark, $28,480 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. Starke County's $712 median is 21.8% below that comparison value.
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-advisory-v2
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Starke County
Rent Burden
13.4%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$1,492
per month
Owner Cost Burden
16.0%
of gross income
You can likely afford the median home in Starke County
Median home value is $157,700. Estimated monthly cost: $1,259 vs. your max of $1,492.
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 Starke County, Indiana?
What is the median rent in Starke County?
Is Starke County affordable?
How does Starke County's rent compare to the state average?
What is the median home value in Starke County?
Counties with Similar Housing Costs
Planning a Move?
Researching the cost of living in Starke County, Indiana? Compare moving quotes from top providers and save on your relocation.
Compare Moving QuotesCompare Mortgage Rates in Starke County
Whether you're buying in Starke 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.