Make theMove to NWI

Chicago area living with benefits

In the Northwest Indiana region, the urban, suburban and rural areas provide a community for everyone and a strong local economy that only continues to grow, offering new opportunities. The close proximity to Chicago as well as large and small businesses throughout the region provide job seekers virtually endless professional options. Always wanted to open your own business? The NWI economy is welcoming to new businesses, with the region ranking within the top 10 best tax environments in the United States and the best in the Midwest, based on the 2016 State Tax Environment Index by the Tax Foundation.

Not only is the region great for work, it’s affordable, too. Low property taxes, affordable housing, great schools, accessible healthcare and so much more add to the many benefits of living in Indiana.

Crown Point, Indiana

Crown Point offers plenty of local history as well as dining, entertainment, and recreation for residents and visitors to enjoy. From breweries and antique stores to golf courses, the variety of shops, restaurants, and activities provide something for everyone.

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Dyer, Indiana

Dyer offers residents a small-town feel with easy access to Chicago. The town has an award-winning school system, perfect for young, growing families, and everyone can enjoy the parks, programs and events, like the annual Summerfest and Community Markets. Dyer has experienced steady economic growth with plenty of restaurants and stores to enjoy.

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Merrillville, Indiana

Merrillville, Indiana offers an idyllic blend of urban amenities and small-town charm, making it an irresistible destination for those seeking a better quality of life.

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St. John, Indiana

Thirty-eight miles from Chicago, St. John is a well-planned community filled with quiet neighborhoods, quality schools, and churches. With over 20 well-equipped parks and an active park program, there is a myriad of activities for our residents to take part in.

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Whiting, Indiana

Nestled between the sites of Chicago and the shores of Michigan, Whiting is a beautiful corridor to Lake Michigan with a heartwarming community. The city boasts award-winning schools, residential opportunities, family attractions and annual events for everyone to enjoy.

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NWI is the place to be for low-cost, high-quality living.

Live comfortably

Working in the Chicago area doesn’t mean having to live in Illinois where costs are much higher. In Indiana, property taxes are nearly three times lower than in Illinois on similarly valued homes. Plus, your dollar will go further when purchasing a home, giving you more bang for your buck. According to U.S. News, Indiana is ranked at No. 3 in housing affordability and No. 2 in overall affordability; Illinois is ranked No. 22. The cost of living in Indiana is also one of the lowest in the country, ranked fifth lowest in the U.S. at 9% below the national average. Working in the state saves you on income taxes, too; Indiana’s income tax is only 3.23%, compared to 4.95% in Illinois. For those who work in Chicago, the commute could be enough to ruin a comfortable lifestyle. Luckily, NWI offers an easy drive; Munster is only 28 miles away from the city, and driving from Dyer will only take about 39 minutes versus a 51-minute drive from Naperville, Illinois, to Chicago. An easy drive helps save you money on gas — and can save your sanity.

Excellent education at every level

From elementary to university, Indiana offers great education to further grow the mind. In the state of Indiana, the best schools are given the Four Star designation. In the 2017-2018 school year, over 230 schools throughout the state received the designation, and 30 of those schools are within the NWI region. When looking to pursue higher education, cost is a major factor, and attending a university within your state can save thousands over out-of-state options. Indiana offers a variety of highly ranked schools including Purdue University, Valparaiso University, Butler University, University of Notre Dame and Indiana University.

Stay healthy and active

NWI makes it easy to keep a healthy lifestyle a priority. With 25 miles of beaches, a national park and state park, there are all kinds of year-round activities to get out and be active. Explore the Indiana Dunes National Park, made up of over 15,000 acres of dunes, oak savannas, swamps, bogs, marshes, prairies, rivers and forests. Access to healthcare is essential for high-quality living, and NWI is ready to provide. Just within 2021, medical providers have planned, built or opened over $400 million in new hospitals, clinics and care centers to meet the needs of every resident.

Did You Know
that Northwest Indiana has…

30 Unique Attractions

The Northwest Indiana region offers a wide variety of free attractions and activities to enjoy all year long. From hundreds of miles of bike trails to the perfect sledding hills, waterways for kayaking, art galleries, historic and culturally significant locations, beaches, fishing and so much more, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

Many of Indiana’s must-see locations and exciting activities are in NWI, including Albanese Candy Factory, Brewery & Winery Trails, Buckley Homestead, County Line Orchard, Fair Oaks Farms, Gabis Arboretum, Mascot Hall of Fame and The Shrine of Christ's Passion.

Access to Green Spaces

Northwest Indiana offers 25 miles of beaches, one national park and one state park. The Indiana Dunes National Park has more than 15,000 acres of dunes, oak savannas, swamps, bogs, marshes, prairies, rivers and forests, offering a wide variety of activities year-round.

Plan your next adventure at one of Northwest Indiana’s unique outdoor locations, such as Cedar Lake, Deep River Water Trail, Friendship Botanic Gardens, Gibson Woods Nature Preserve, Hammond Lakefront Park and Bird Sanctuary, Oak Ridge Prairie County Park, Turkey Run State Park, and Washington Park Zoo.

Lower Cost of Living

Get the most for your money in Indiana! The state offers the fifth-lowest cost of living in the United States, coming in at 9% below the national average. Whether you’re making a big purchase, like a car or house, or simply going for a grocery run, you’ll be pleased with how much more you can get — for less.

On average, the United States has an average affordability score of 100. Northwest Indiana’s cost of living scored a 72.7, essentially meaning that our residents are paying significantly less than many others throughout the country. Want to see how much you’d save by moving to NWI? Calculate your savings using the cost of living calculator and view the property tax rates per county to know just what to expect.

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