Can A Truck Driver Afford Rent in Gary, IN?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 31.4% of gross income.
Gary rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Indiana state estimate).
About rent and a truck driver salary
Truck driver pay covers comfortable rent in most lower- and mid-cost US metros and stretches thin in the highest-cost ones. Because many drivers can base anywhere along their route, the home-city rent decision has an outsized effect on take-home. At the national-average driver salary, the 30% rule supports about $1,418 a month in rent. The per-city pages show which markets keep rent within that range and which push it out of reach.
Cheaper rent nearby
These Indiana cities have lower median rent than Gary, which improves the affordability math on a truck driver salary:
Compare with full rent data for Gary
View full rent data for Gary, IN →Frequently asked questions
Can a truck driver afford rent in Gary, IN?
Median rent in Gary is $1,366 a month. A typical truck driver in Indiana earns about $52,173 a year, which makes that rent 31.4% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is no — rent exceeds the 30% threshold.
How much rent can a truck driver afford in Gary?
Using the 30% rule, a truck driver salary in Indiana (~$52,173/yr) supports up to $1,304 a month in rent. Gary's current median rent is $1,366/mo, which is $62/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a truck driver work to cover rent in Gary?
At an hourly equivalent of about $25 an hour, a truck driver in Indiana works roughly 54.5 hours a month to cover Gary's median rent of $1,366.
Where is rent cheaper than Gary for a truck driver?
Nearby Indiana cities with lower median rent include Columbus ($1,365/mo), Hammond ($1,364/mo), Columbus ($1,364/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a truck driver salary.