Boston MA 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)
Boston, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 663,972
- Median HH Income$94,755
- Median Home Price$793,154
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+54.1%
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
Boston
663,972
Indianapolis
882,043
Indianapolis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boston
N/A
Indianapolis
N/A
Median Age
Boston
33.2
Boston +
Indianapolis
34.1
Foreign Born
Boston
27.5%
Boston +
Indianapolis
11.6%
White
Boston
47.8%
Indianapolis
53.6%
Indianapolis +
Black
Boston
21.5%
Indianapolis
28.1%
Indianapolis +
Asian
Boston
10.0%
Boston +
Indianapolis
4.1%
Hispanic
Boston
18.9%
Boston +
Indianapolis
13.3%
Spanish at Home
Boston
N/A
Indianapolis
N/A
| Metric | Boston, MA | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 663,972 | 882,043 | Indianapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.2 | 34.1 | Boston + |
| Foreign Born | 27.5% | 11.6% | Boston + |
| White | 47.8% | 53.6% | Indianapolis + |
| Black | 21.5% | 28.1% | Indianapolis + |
| Asian | 10.0% | 4.1% | Boston + |
| Hispanic | 18.9% | 13.3% | Boston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boston
$94,755
Boston +
Indianapolis
$62,995
Per Capita Income
Boston
$60,001
Boston +
Indianapolis
$36,194
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boston
$85,405
Boston +
Indianapolis
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Boston
6.0%
Indianapolis
5.2%
Indianapolis +
Poverty Rate
Boston
16.9%
Indianapolis
15.7%
Indianapolis +
Bachelor's Degree+
Boston
54.1%
Boston +
Indianapolis
34.2%
| Metric | Boston, MA | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,755 | $62,995 | Boston + |
| Per Capita Income | $60,001 | $36,194 | Boston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $58,697 | Boston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 5.2% | Indianapolis + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.9% | 15.7% | Indianapolis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 54.1% | 34.2% | Boston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boston
$793,154
Indianapolis
$232,133
Indianapolis +
Homeownership Rate
Boston
35.4%
Indianapolis
55.3%
Indianapolis +
| Metric | Boston, MA | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $793,154 | $232,133 | Indianapolis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 35.4% | 55.3% | Indianapolis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boston
326
Boston +
Indianapolis
370
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boston
1086
Boston +
Indianapolis
1719
| Metric | Boston, MA | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 370 | Boston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1719 | Boston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boston
23.4%
Indianapolis
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boston
8.6%
Indianapolis
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boston
18.0%
Indianapolis
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boston
6.3%
Indianapolis
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boston
20.7%
Indianapolis
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boston
10.7%
Indianapolis
N/A
| Metric | Boston, MA | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.4% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.6% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.3% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.7% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.7% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boston
51.5°F
Indianapolis
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boston
43.8 in
Indianapolis
41.8 in
Indianapolis +
| Metric | Boston, MA | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.8 in | 41.8 in | Indianapolis + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boston
7.2 µg/m³
Boston +
Indianapolis
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boston
75.0%
Boston +
Indianapolis
55.0%
| Metric | Boston, MA | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Boston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Boston + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boston
33.1 min
Indianapolis
25.8 min
Indianapolis +
| Metric | Boston, MA | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.1 min | 25.8 min | Indianapolis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boston leads in median household income at $94,755, while indianapolis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $232,133. On public safety, Boston is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in Indianapolis. Indianapolis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Boston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³).
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