Cleveland OH 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)
Cleveland, OH
Ohio · Population: 367,523
- Median HH Income$39,187
- Median Home Price$117,703
- Unemployment11.5%
- Bachelor's+21.3%
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
Cleveland
367,523
Indianapolis
882,043
Indianapolis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cleveland
N/A
Indianapolis
N/A
Median Age
Cleveland
36.3
Indianapolis
34.1
Indianapolis +
Foreign Born
Cleveland
6.1%
Indianapolis
11.6%
Indianapolis +
White
Cleveland
36.7%
Indianapolis
53.6%
Indianapolis +
Black
Cleveland
46.8%
Cleveland +
Indianapolis
28.1%
Asian
Cleveland
2.3%
Indianapolis
4.1%
Indianapolis +
Hispanic
Cleveland
12.8%
Indianapolis
13.3%
Indianapolis +
Spanish at Home
Cleveland
N/A
Indianapolis
N/A
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 367,523 | 882,043 | Indianapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 34.1 | Indianapolis + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 11.6% | Indianapolis + |
| White | 36.7% | 53.6% | Indianapolis + |
| Black | 46.8% | 28.1% | Cleveland + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 4.1% | Indianapolis + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 13.3% | Indianapolis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cleveland
$39,187
Indianapolis
$62,995
Indianapolis +
Per Capita Income
Cleveland
$27,078
Indianapolis
$36,194
Indianapolis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cleveland
$58,300
Indianapolis
$58,697
Indianapolis +
Unemployment Rate
Cleveland
11.5%
Indianapolis
5.2%
Indianapolis +
Poverty Rate
Cleveland
30.8%
Indianapolis
15.7%
Indianapolis +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cleveland
21.3%
Indianapolis
34.2%
Indianapolis +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,187 | $62,995 | Indianapolis + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,078 | $36,194 | Indianapolis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $58,697 | Indianapolis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 5.2% | Indianapolis + |
| Poverty Rate | 30.8% | 15.7% | Indianapolis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 34.2% | Indianapolis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cleveland
$117,703
Cleveland +
Indianapolis
$232,133
Homeownership Rate
Cleveland
41.2%
Indianapolis
55.3%
Indianapolis +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $117,703 | $232,133 | Cleveland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 55.3% | Indianapolis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
319
Cleveland +
Indianapolis
370
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
1866
Indianapolis
1719
Indianapolis +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 370 | Cleveland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1719 | Indianapolis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
42.2%
Indianapolis
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
17.7%
Indianapolis
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cleveland
19.6%
Indianapolis
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
13.4%
Indianapolis
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
16.2%
Indianapolis
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
21.5%
Indianapolis
N/A
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.7% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.4% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.5% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
52.7°F
Indianapolis
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
36.4 in
Cleveland +
Indianapolis
41.8 in
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.4 in | 41.8 in | Cleveland + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cleveland
10.3 µg/m³
Indianapolis
10.1 µg/m³
Indianapolis +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cleveland
55.0%
Indianapolis
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Indianapolis + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cleveland
24.3 min
Cleveland +
Indianapolis
25.8 min
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 25.8 min | Cleveland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Indianapolis leads in median household income at $62,995, while cleveland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $117,703. On public safety, Cleveland is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in Indianapolis. Indianapolis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Indianapolis has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 10.1 µg/m³).
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