Baltimore MD 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)
Baltimore, MD
Maryland · Population: 577,193
- Median HH Income$59,623
- Median Home Price$191,668
- Unemployment6.6%
- Bachelor's+35.4%
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
Baltimore
577,193
Indianapolis
882,043
Indianapolis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baltimore
N/A
Indianapolis
N/A
Median Age
Baltimore
36.1
Indianapolis
34.1
Indianapolis +
Foreign Born
Baltimore
8.8%
Indianapolis
11.6%
Indianapolis +
White
Baltimore
27.4%
Indianapolis
53.6%
Indianapolis +
Black
Baltimore
60.0%
Baltimore +
Indianapolis
28.1%
Asian
Baltimore
2.5%
Indianapolis
4.1%
Indianapolis +
Hispanic
Baltimore
7.9%
Indianapolis
13.3%
Indianapolis +
Spanish at Home
Baltimore
N/A
Indianapolis
N/A
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 577,193 | 882,043 | Indianapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 34.1 | Indianapolis + |
| Foreign Born | 8.8% | 11.6% | Indianapolis + |
| White | 27.4% | 53.6% | Indianapolis + |
| Black | 60.0% | 28.1% | Baltimore + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 4.1% | Indianapolis + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 13.3% | Indianapolis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baltimore
$59,623
Indianapolis
$62,995
Indianapolis +
Per Capita Income
Baltimore
$39,195
Baltimore +
Indianapolis
$36,194
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baltimore
$70,886
Baltimore +
Indianapolis
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Baltimore
6.6%
Indianapolis
5.2%
Indianapolis +
Poverty Rate
Baltimore
20.1%
Indianapolis
15.7%
Indianapolis +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baltimore
35.4%
Baltimore +
Indianapolis
34.2%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,623 | $62,995 | Indianapolis + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,195 | $36,194 | Baltimore + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $70,886 | $58,697 | Baltimore + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.6% | 5.2% | Indianapolis + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 15.7% | Indianapolis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.4% | 34.2% | Baltimore + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baltimore
$191,668
Baltimore +
Indianapolis
$232,133
Homeownership Rate
Baltimore
47.5%
Indianapolis
55.3%
Indianapolis +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $191,668 | $232,133 | Baltimore + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.5% | 55.3% | Indianapolis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
433
Indianapolis
370
Indianapolis +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
1724
Indianapolis
1719
Indianapolis +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 370 | Indianapolis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1724 | 1719 | Indianapolis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
38.1%
Indianapolis
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
14.4%
Indianapolis
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baltimore
18.6%
Indianapolis
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
10.4%
Indianapolis
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.0%
Indianapolis
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.1%
Indianapolis
N/A
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.1% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.4% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
55.1°F
Indianapolis
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
41.9 in
Indianapolis
41.8 in
Indianapolis +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.9 in | 41.8 in | Indianapolis + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baltimore
7.6 µg/m³
Baltimore +
Indianapolis
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baltimore
75.0%
Baltimore +
Indianapolis
55.0%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Baltimore + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Baltimore + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baltimore
31.6 min
Indianapolis
25.8 min
Indianapolis +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 25.8 min | Indianapolis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Indianapolis leads in median household income at $62,995, while baltimore offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $191,668. On public safety, Indianapolis is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 433 in Baltimore. Indianapolis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Baltimore has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³).
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