Charlotte NC 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)
Charlotte, NC
North Carolina · Population: 886,283
- Median HH Income$78,438
- Median Home Price$399,070
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+47.4%
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
Charlotte
886,283
Charlotte +
Indianapolis
882,043
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charlotte
N/A
Indianapolis
N/A
Median Age
Charlotte
34.4
Indianapolis
34.1
Indianapolis +
Foreign Born
Charlotte
18.1%
Charlotte +
Indianapolis
11.6%
White
Charlotte
41.5%
Indianapolis
53.6%
Indianapolis +
Black
Charlotte
34.1%
Charlotte +
Indianapolis
28.1%
Asian
Charlotte
6.3%
Charlotte +
Indianapolis
4.1%
Hispanic
Charlotte
17.0%
Charlotte +
Indianapolis
13.3%
Spanish at Home
Charlotte
N/A
Indianapolis
N/A
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 886,283 | 882,043 | Charlotte + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.4 | 34.1 | Indianapolis + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 11.6% | Charlotte + |
| White | 41.5% | 53.6% | Indianapolis + |
| Black | 34.1% | 28.1% | Charlotte + |
| Asian | 6.3% | 4.1% | Charlotte + |
| Hispanic | 17.0% | 13.3% | Charlotte + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charlotte
$78,438
Charlotte +
Indianapolis
$62,995
Per Capita Income
Charlotte
$49,991
Charlotte +
Indianapolis
$36,194
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charlotte
$59,120
Charlotte +
Indianapolis
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Charlotte
4.4%
Charlotte +
Indianapolis
5.2%
Poverty Rate
Charlotte
11.7%
Charlotte +
Indianapolis
15.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charlotte
47.4%
Charlotte +
Indianapolis
34.2%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,438 | $62,995 | Charlotte + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,991 | $36,194 | Charlotte + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $58,697 | Charlotte + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 5.2% | Charlotte + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.7% | 15.7% | Charlotte + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.4% | 34.2% | Charlotte + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charlotte
$399,070
Indianapolis
$232,133
Indianapolis +
Homeownership Rate
Charlotte
51.5%
Indianapolis
55.3%
Indianapolis +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,070 | $232,133 | Indianapolis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.5% | 55.3% | Indianapolis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
398
Indianapolis
370
Indianapolis +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
1999
Indianapolis
1719
Indianapolis +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 370 | Indianapolis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1719 | Indianapolis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
30.1%
Indianapolis
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
10.1%
Indianapolis
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charlotte
16.4%
Indianapolis
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Indianapolis
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
15.4%
Indianapolis
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Indianapolis
N/A
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.1% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
59.9°F
Indianapolis
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
41.6 in
Charlotte +
Indianapolis
41.8 in
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.6 in | 41.8 in | Charlotte + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charlotte
8.7 µg/m³
Charlotte +
Indianapolis
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charlotte
75.0%
Charlotte +
Indianapolis
55.0%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Charlotte + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Charlotte + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charlotte
26.7 min
Indianapolis
25.8 min
Indianapolis +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.7 min | 25.8 min | Indianapolis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charlotte leads in median household income at $78,438, 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 398 in Charlotte. Charlotte has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Charlotte has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³).
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