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Special Education Teachers, Preschool Salary in Indiana: Cost of Living Adjusted (2025)

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

What does a Special Education Teachers, Preschool salary really buy you in Indiana?

Indiana is 8.2% cheaper than the US average

Data: BLS OEWS 2025 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-05-19

Nominal Salary
$48,680
Median annual (2025)
+8.9%
Real Purchasing Power
$53,028
COL-adjusted (RPP=91.8)

Indiana Cost of Living Index

Indiana's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 91.8, meaning prices are 8.2% lower the national average. A Special Education Teachers, Preschool earning $48,680 in Indiana has the equivalent purchasing power of $53,028 in an average-cost US state.

IN: 91.8
Cheapest (~85) US Avg (100) Priciest (~115)

Salary Breakdown: Nominal vs. COL-Adjusted

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) $35,620 $38,801 +$3,181
25th Percentile (P25) $37,640 $41,002 +$3,362
Median (P50) $48,680 $53,028 +$4,348
75th Percentile (P75) $65,320 $71,154 +$5,834
90th Percentile (P90) $76,530 $83,366 +$6,836
Key Insight

A Special Education Teachers, Preschool in Indiana earns $48,680 on paper, but low living costs mean your money goes 9% further — like earning $53,028 in an average-cost state. This makes Indiana one of the best value states for this occupation.

What the Cost-of-Living Data Says

Indiana Runs Well Below National Cost

RPP 91.8

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 Special Education Teachers, Preschool, every dollar earned effectively buys more here than in a 100-RPP state.

Meaningful Purchasing-Power Shift

+8.9%

After applying Indiana's RPP, the $48,680 median salary translates to $53,028 in real terms — a 8.9% gain. That difference can cover several months of expenses over a year for a Special Education Teachers, Preschool.

Bottom-Quartile COL-Adjusted Pay

#43 / 45

Indiana ranks #43 of 45 — bottom quartile for Special Education Teachers, Preschool real purchasing power. Relocation, employer negotiation, or remote roles at higher-paying markets tend to generate the biggest ROI.

Best States for Special Education Teachers, Preschool (After Cost of Living)

Where does Special Education Teachers, Preschool salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.

$90,557
RPP 109.4
$86,808
RPP 96.2
$84,613
RPP 108.8
$82,669
RPP 106.4
$81,220
RPP 93.4
$80,961
RPP 105.0
$78,852
RPP 109.8
8. Alaska
$78,813
RPP 102.0
9. Vermont
$78,140
RPP 101.1
10. Minnesota
$77,666
RPP 97.7

Indiana ranks #43 out of 45 states for Special Education Teachers, Preschool after cost-of-living adjustment.

How much do you actually take home? See Special Education Teachers, Preschool take-home pay in Indiana after taxes →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the real salary for a Special Education Teachers, Preschool in Indiana after cost of living?

A Special Education Teachers, Preschool in Indiana earns a median salary of $48,680 per year. After adjusting for Indiana's cost of living (RPP=91.8), the real purchasing power is $53,028 — a +8.9% difference.

Is Indiana expensive to live in?

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).

What are Regional Price Parities (RPP)?

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.

How is the cost-of-living adjusted salary calculated?

The adjusted salary is calculated as: Nominal Salary x (100 / RPP). For a Special Education Teachers, Preschool in Indiana: $48,680 x (100 / 91.8) = $53,028. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.

Is it better to be a Special Education Teachers, Preschool in Indiana financially?

From a purchasing power perspective, yes. A Special Education Teachers, Preschool 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.

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