Rows tagged local are specific to Granger (Census ACS); state rows are state averages; metro-area rows are inherited from South Bend, IN. Home value is ACS owner-reported (not a Zillow sale price).
School score: 8/10 (district Penn-harris-madison School Corp · NCES EDFacts)
Cost of living
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Cost-of-living index (US=100)
91.4
metro-area
#47 of 200 metros
Grocery index (US=100)
94.7
metro-area
#58 of 200 metros
Big Mac price (est.)
$5.20
metro-area
#46 of 200 metros
Median household income
$112,734
local
#762 of 3,220 cities
Median wage (all occupations)
$56,653
local
#794 of 3,220 cities
Who lives here
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Median age
37.9 years
metro-area
#82 of 200 metros
Bachelor's degree or higher (25+)
30.7%
metro-area
#129 of 200 metros
Foreign-born residents
6.1%
metro-area
#141 of 200 metros
Homes that are owner-occupied
70.8%
metro-area
#36 of 200 metros
Economy
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Unemployment rate
5.07%
local
#1770 of 3,220 cities
Population growth (5-yr)
-2.3%
local
#2745 of 3,220 cities
Housing — what your money buys
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Median home price
$279,800
local
#1239 of 3,220 cities
Home price ÷ income (affordability)
2.5×
local
#244 of 3,220 cities
1-yr home appreciation
+5.7%
metro-area
#12 of 200 metros
Price per square foot
$147
local
#1153 of 3,220 cities
Typical home size (implied)
1,900 sqft
Median rent (monthly)
$1,424
local
#1538 of 3,220 cities
Homes for sale (inventory)
957
Median days on market
9
metro-area
#43 of 200 metros
Taxes
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Total tax burden (est. % of income)
9.3%
state
#58 of 200 metros
Combined sales tax
7.00%
state
#64 of 200 metros
State income tax (top rate)
3.00%
Capital gains tax
3.05%
state
#49 of 200 metros
High earners
No special surtax
Social Security in retirement
Not taxed — does not tax Social Security benefits
Effective property tax rate
0.86%
local
#1275 of 3,220 cities
Median property tax paid
$2,407
local
#894 of 3,220 cities
Health & childcare
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Life expectancy at birth
75.2 years
metro-area
#146 of 200 metros
Healthcare (annual, single adult)
$6,600
state
#65 of 200 metros
Uninsured (share of residents)
7.9%
metro-area
#91 of 200 metros
Primary care providers per 100k
79
metro-area
#84 of 200 metros
Childcare (annual, infant, center)
$12,000
state
#110 of 200 metros
Vehicles & commute
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Annual registration
$200
state
#135 of 200 metros
Vehicle property tax (annual)
1.20% of value (~$336/yr)
state
#155 of 200 metros
Emissions testing
Required
Emissions detail
Required in major metro counties
DMV & license offices
2
Avg commute to work
21 min
local
#373 of 3,220 cities
Commute by driving alone
75.6%
metro-area
#104 of 200 metros
Solo drivers commuting 30+ min
25.9%
metro-area
#47 of 200 metros
Utilities & fuel
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Electricity
17.9¢/kWh
state
#122 of 200 metros
Avg monthly electric bill
$161
state
#122 of 200 metros
Gasoline
$3.30/gal
state
#94 of 200 metros
Natural gas (avg monthly bill)
$72
state
#100 of 200 metros
Water & sewer (avg monthly bill)
$102
state
#93 of 200 metros
Home internet (avg monthly bill)
$81
state
#121 of 200 metros
Insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Home insurance (annual)
$1,600
state
#80 of 200 metros
Auto insurance (annual)
$1,400
state
#18 of 200 metros
Disaster risk & supplemental insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Main natural hazards
Notable hazards: tornadoes — separate flood/quake/windstorm policies may be needed.
FEMA National Risk Index (0–100, higher = more risk)
79.8 — Relatively Low
metro-area
#24 of 200 metros
Flood insurance (annual, NFIP)
$600
state
#16 of 200 metros
Earthquake insurance (annual)
$100
state
#1 of 200 metros
Climate & air quality
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Air quality (median AQI, lower=cleaner)
45
metro-area
#91 of 200 metros
Cooling degree-days (AC load)
900
metro-area
#66 of 200 metros
Homes with air conditioning (state)
94%
state
#64 of 200 metros
Heating degree-days (heat load)
5,700
metro-area
#141 of 200 metros
Days per year ≥ 90°F
10
metro-area
#45 of 200 metros
Days per year ≥ 100°F
0
metro-area
#5 of 200 metros
Avg summer high (state)
86°F
metro-area
#87 of 200 metros
Avg winter low
20°F
metro-area
#147 of 200 metros
Annual precipitation
43.6"
metro-area
#101 of 200 metros
Annual snowfall
25.5"
metro-area
#137 of 200 metros
Sunshine (% of possible)
55%
metro-area
#150 of 200 metros
Plant hardiness zone
6a
Frost window
04-30 → 10-15
Safety
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Violent crime (per 100k, state avg)
360
state
#61 of 200 metros
Property crime (per 100k, state avg)
2,000
state
#83 of 200 metros
Local amenities & recreation
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Grocery stores
16
metro-area
#190 of 200 metros
Parks
28
Hiking areas
5
Golf courses
11
Shooting ranges
4
Lakes
5
Permits
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Building permit difficulty (1–5)
2
state
#1 of 200 metros
Permit detail
Generally easy
US rank = this metro's position among all 200 metros (1 = best: cheapest / safest / highest income, etc.). Childcare is a family cost, not included in the salary-equivalence total.