Berkeley CA 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)
Berkeley, CA
California · Population: 120,223
- Median HH Income$108,558
- Median Home Price$1,451,222
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+75.0%
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
Berkeley
120,223
Indianapolis
882,043
Indianapolis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Berkeley
N/A
Indianapolis
N/A
Median Age
Berkeley
32.9
Berkeley +
Indianapolis
34.1
Foreign Born
Berkeley
21.3%
Berkeley +
Indianapolis
11.6%
White
Berkeley
54.8%
Berkeley +
Indianapolis
53.6%
Black
Berkeley
7.4%
Indianapolis
28.1%
Indianapolis +
Asian
Berkeley
20.7%
Berkeley +
Indianapolis
4.1%
Hispanic
Berkeley
12.1%
Indianapolis
13.3%
Indianapolis +
Spanish at Home
Berkeley
N/A
Indianapolis
N/A
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 120,223 | 882,043 | Indianapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 34.1 | Berkeley + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 11.6% | Berkeley + |
| White | 54.8% | 53.6% | Berkeley + |
| Black | 7.4% | 28.1% | Indianapolis + |
| Asian | 20.7% | 4.1% | Berkeley + |
| Hispanic | 12.1% | 13.3% | Indianapolis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Berkeley
$108,558
Berkeley +
Indianapolis
$62,995
Per Capita Income
Berkeley
$66,936
Berkeley +
Indianapolis
$36,194
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Berkeley
$77,230
Berkeley +
Indianapolis
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Berkeley
6.0%
Indianapolis
5.2%
Indianapolis +
Poverty Rate
Berkeley
16.8%
Indianapolis
15.7%
Indianapolis +
Bachelor's Degree+
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
Indianapolis
34.2%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $108,558 | $62,995 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Income | $66,936 | $36,194 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $58,697 | Berkeley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 5.2% | Indianapolis + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 15.7% | Indianapolis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 75.0% | 34.2% | Berkeley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Berkeley
$1,451,222
Indianapolis
$232,133
Indianapolis +
Homeownership Rate
Berkeley
43.3%
Indianapolis
55.3%
Indianapolis +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,451,222 | $232,133 | Indianapolis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 55.3% | Indianapolis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
503
Indianapolis
370
Indianapolis +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
2388
Indianapolis
1719
Indianapolis +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 370 | Indianapolis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1719 | Indianapolis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
22.2%
Indianapolis
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
7.4%
Indianapolis
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Berkeley
18.1%
Indianapolis
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
6.1%
Indianapolis
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
18.1%
Indianapolis
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
8.0%
Indianapolis
N/A
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 22.2% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.1% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.1% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.0% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
58.1°F
Indianapolis
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
26.7 in
Berkeley +
Indianapolis
41.8 in
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 26.7 in | 41.8 in | Berkeley + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Berkeley
7.9 µg/m³
Berkeley +
Indianapolis
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
Indianapolis
55.0%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Berkeley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Berkeley + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Berkeley
32.2 min
Indianapolis
25.8 min
Indianapolis +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.2 min | 25.8 min | Indianapolis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Berkeley leads in median household income at $108,558, 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 503 in Berkeley. Indianapolis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Berkeley has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³).
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