Arlington TX 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)
Arlington, TX
Texas · Population: 394,769
- Median HH Income$73,519
- Median Home Price$313,683
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+33.1%
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
Arlington
394,769
Indianapolis
882,043
Indianapolis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Arlington
N/A
Indianapolis
N/A
Median Age
Arlington
33.6
Arlington +
Indianapolis
34.1
Foreign Born
Arlington
21.3%
Arlington +
Indianapolis
11.6%
White
Arlington
43.2%
Indianapolis
53.6%
Indianapolis +
Black
Arlington
22.4%
Indianapolis
28.1%
Indianapolis +
Asian
Arlington
7.3%
Arlington +
Indianapolis
4.1%
Hispanic
Arlington
31.0%
Arlington +
Indianapolis
13.3%
Spanish at Home
Arlington
N/A
Indianapolis
N/A
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 394,769 | 882,043 | Indianapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.6 | 34.1 | Arlington + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 11.6% | Arlington + |
| White | 43.2% | 53.6% | Indianapolis + |
| Black | 22.4% | 28.1% | Indianapolis + |
| Asian | 7.3% | 4.1% | Arlington + |
| Hispanic | 31.0% | 13.3% | Arlington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Arlington
$73,519
Arlington +
Indianapolis
$62,995
Per Capita Income
Arlington
$35,226
Indianapolis
$36,194
Indianapolis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Arlington
$63,758
Arlington +
Indianapolis
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Arlington
5.7%
Indianapolis
5.2%
Indianapolis +
Poverty Rate
Arlington
13.1%
Arlington +
Indianapolis
15.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Arlington
33.1%
Indianapolis
34.2%
Indianapolis +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,519 | $62,995 | Arlington + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,226 | $36,194 | Indianapolis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $58,697 | Arlington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 5.2% | Indianapolis + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.1% | 15.7% | Arlington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.1% | 34.2% | Indianapolis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Arlington
$313,683
Indianapolis
$232,133
Indianapolis +
Homeownership Rate
Arlington
54.8%
Indianapolis
55.3%
Indianapolis +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,683 | $232,133 | Indianapolis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.8% | 55.3% | Indianapolis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arlington
442
Indianapolis
370
Indianapolis +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arlington
2339
Indianapolis
1719
Indianapolis +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 370 | Indianapolis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1719 | Indianapolis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Arlington
33.8%
Indianapolis
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Arlington
12.0%
Indianapolis
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Arlington
18.2%
Indianapolis
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Arlington
18.4%
Indianapolis
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Arlington
16.0%
Indianapolis
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Arlington
13.3%
Indianapolis
N/A
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.2% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arlington
65.4°F
Indianapolis
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arlington
39.6 in
Arlington +
Indianapolis
41.8 in
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.4°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.6 in | 41.8 in | Arlington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Arlington
9.2 µg/m³
Arlington +
Indianapolis
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Arlington
55.0%
Indianapolis
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Arlington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Arlington
29.0 min
Indianapolis
25.8 min
Indianapolis +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.0 min | 25.8 min | Indianapolis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Arlington leads in median household income at $73,519, while 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 442 in Arlington. Indianapolis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Arlington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³).
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