Ann Arbor MI vs Indianapolis IN — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Ann Arbor, MI
Michigan · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$531,674
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Indianapolis, IN
Indiana · Population: 882,043
- Median HH Income$62,995
- Median Home Price$232,133
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+34.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Ann Arbor
N/A
Indianapolis
882,043
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Ann Arbor
N/A
Indianapolis
N/A
Median Age
Ann Arbor
N/A
Indianapolis
34.1
Foreign Born
Ann Arbor
N/A
Indianapolis
11.6%
White
Ann Arbor
N/A
Indianapolis
53.6%
Black
Ann Arbor
N/A
Indianapolis
28.1%
Asian
Ann Arbor
N/A
Indianapolis
4.1%
Hispanic
Ann Arbor
N/A
Indianapolis
13.3%
Spanish at Home
Ann Arbor
N/A
Indianapolis
N/A
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 882,043 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 34.1 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 11.6% | - |
| White | N/A | 53.6% | - |
| Black | N/A | 28.1% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 4.1% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 13.3% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Ann Arbor
N/A
Indianapolis
$62,995
Per Capita Income
Ann Arbor
N/A
Indianapolis
$36,194
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Ann Arbor
$58,052
Indianapolis
$58,697
Indianapolis +
Unemployment Rate
Ann Arbor
N/A
Indianapolis
5.2%
Poverty Rate
Ann Arbor
N/A
Indianapolis
15.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Ann Arbor
N/A
Indianapolis
34.2%
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $62,995 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $36,194 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $58,697 | Indianapolis + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 5.2% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 15.7% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 34.2% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Ann Arbor
$531,674
Indianapolis
$232,133
Indianapolis +
Homeownership Rate
Ann Arbor
N/A
Indianapolis
55.3%
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,674 | $232,133 | Indianapolis + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 55.3% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Ann Arbor
471
Indianapolis
370
Indianapolis +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Ann Arbor
1590
Ann Arbor +
Indianapolis
1719
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 370 | Indianapolis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1719 | Ann Arbor + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
25.8%
Indianapolis
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
6.4%
Indianapolis
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Ann Arbor
18.3%
Indianapolis
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
6.0%
Indianapolis
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
18.3%
Indianapolis
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
9.1%
Indianapolis
N/A
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.8% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.4% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.0% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.3% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.1% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Ann Arbor
48.4°F
Indianapolis
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Ann Arbor
N/A
Indianapolis
41.8 in
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.4°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 41.8 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Ann Arbor
10.7 µg/m³
Indianapolis
10.1 µg/m³
Indianapolis +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Ann Arbor
55.0%
Indianapolis
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Indianapolis + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Ann Arbor
N/A
Indianapolis
25.8 min
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 25.8 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Indianapolis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $232,133. On public safety, Indianapolis is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Ann Arbor. Indianapolis has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 10.1 µg/m³).
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