INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The cost of owning a pet is skyrocketing, but a new report says a city in the Hoosier state is one of the most affordable places to own a cat or dog.
Citing inflation and newly-enacted tariffs, Rover’s “2025 True Cost of Pet Parenthood Report” forecasts the cost of owning a cat to spike 10%, while dog owners will see a 7% hike.
According to the report, The average lifetime care for a 10-year-old dog costs roughly $34,550. For a 16-year-old cat, it’s roughly $32,170.
But the bite out of your budget can vary based on breed, life span, and a number of variables, including where you live.
Rover ranks Evansville, Indiana, as the sixth most affordable city in the US to own a pet, based on cost-of-living estimates and consumer data. The most affordable is Parsons, Kansas, while Manhattan, New York, ranks as the costliest.
A survey of 1,000 American pet parents shows 48% are concerned about the rising cost of pet care.
Top 10 most affordable cities for pet parents
- Parsons, Kansas
- Lawton, Oklahoma
- Anniston, Alabama
- Springfield, Missouri
- Tupelo, Mississippi
- Evansville, Indiana
- Jonesboro, Arkansas
- McAllen, Texas
- Beckley, West Virginia
- Dayton, Ohio
