Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
What does a Mechanical Engineers salary really buy you in Indiana?
Indiana is 8.2% cheaper than the US averageData: BLS OEWS 2025 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-05-19
Indiana's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 91.8, meaning prices are 8.2% lower the national average. A Mechanical Engineers earning $99,590 in Indiana has the equivalent purchasing power of $108,485 in an average-cost US state.
Every dollar goes further in low-cost states. Here is how each salary percentile compares after adjusting for Indiana's cost of living.
| Percentile | Nominal Salary | COL-Adjusted | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile (P10) | $66,330 | $72,254 | +$5,924 |
| 25th Percentile (P25) | $80,630 | $87,832 | +$7,202 |
| Median (P50) | $99,590 | $108,485 | +$8,895 |
| 75th Percentile (P75) | $127,700 | $139,106 | +$11,406 |
| 90th Percentile (P90) | $143,090 | $155,871 | +$12,781 |
A Mechanical Engineers in Indiana earns $99,590 on paper, but low living costs mean your money goes 9% further — like earning $108,485 in an average-cost state. This makes Indiana one of the best value states for this occupation.
Indiana's Regional Price Parity (RPP) of 91.8 means a basket of goods and services costs about 8.2% less than the national average. For a Mechanical Engineers, every dollar earned effectively buys more here than in a 100-RPP state.
After applying Indiana's RPP, the $99,590 median salary translates to $108,486 in real terms — a 8.9% gain. That difference can cover several months of expenses over a year for a Mechanical Engineers.
Indiana sits at #22 of 51 states for Mechanical Engineers COL-adjusted salary — comfortably above the national midpoint.
Where does Mechanical Engineers salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.
Indiana ranks #22 out of 51 states for Mechanical Engineers after cost-of-living adjustment.
How much do you actually take home? See Mechanical Engineers take-home pay in Indiana after taxes →
A Mechanical Engineers in Indiana earns a median salary of $99,590 per year. After adjusting for Indiana's cost of living (RPP=91.8), the real purchasing power is $108,485 — a +8.9% difference.
Indiana's cost of living is 8.2% lower than the national average according to the BEA Regional Price Parities (2022). The RPP index for Indiana is 91.8 (US average = 100).
Regional Price Parities (RPPs) are price indexes published by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) that measure differences in price levels across states. They are expressed as a percentage of the national average (US = 100). Higher RPP means higher cost of living.
The adjusted salary is calculated as: Nominal Salary x (100 / RPP). For a Mechanical Engineers in Indiana: $99,590 x (100 / 91.8) = $108,485. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.
From a purchasing power perspective, yes. A Mechanical Engineers in Indiana enjoys 8.9% more buying power than the nominal salary suggests, because living costs are below the national average. However, other factors like job availability, career growth, and quality of life also matter.
Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.