What does a Social Science Research Assistants salary really buy you in Indiana?
Indiana is 8.2% cheaper than the US averageData: BLS OEWS 2024 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-03-31
Indiana's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 91.8, meaning prices are 8.2% lower the national average. A Social Science Research Assistants earning $50,130 in Indiana has the equivalent purchasing power of $54,607 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) | $35,760 | $38,954 | +$3,194 |
| 25th Percentile (P25) | $39,240 | $42,745 | +$3,505 |
| Median (P50) | $50,130 | $54,607 | +$4,477 |
| 75th Percentile (P75) | $65,470 | $71,318 | +$5,848 |
| 90th Percentile (P90) | $84,810 | $92,385 | +$7,575 |
A Social Science Research Assistants in Indiana earns $50,130 on paper, but low living costs mean your money goes 9% further — like earning $54,607 in an average-cost state. This makes Indiana one of the best value states for this occupation.
Where does Social Science Research Assistants salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.
Indiana ranks #21 out of 39 states for Social Science Research Assistants after cost-of-living adjustment.
Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.
A Social Science Research Assistants in Indiana earns a median salary of $50,130 per year. After adjusting for Indiana's cost of living (RPP=91.8), the real purchasing power is $54,607 — 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 Social Science Research Assistants in Indiana: $50,130 x (100 / 91.8) = $54,607. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.
From a purchasing power perspective, yes. A Social Science Research Assistants 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.