Colorado Springs CO 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)
Colorado Springs, CO
Colorado · Population: 483,099
- Median HH Income$83,198
- Median Home Price$451,202
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+41.9%
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
Colorado Springs
483,099
Indianapolis
882,043
Indianapolis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Colorado Springs
N/A
Indianapolis
N/A
Median Age
Colorado Springs
35.6
Indianapolis
34.1
Indianapolis +
Foreign Born
Colorado Springs
7.4%
Indianapolis
11.6%
Indianapolis +
White
Colorado Springs
72.3%
Colorado Springs +
Indianapolis
53.6%
Black
Colorado Springs
5.8%
Indianapolis
28.1%
Indianapolis +
Asian
Colorado Springs
3.0%
Indianapolis
4.1%
Indianapolis +
Hispanic
Colorado Springs
18.7%
Colorado Springs +
Indianapolis
13.3%
Spanish at Home
Colorado Springs
N/A
Indianapolis
N/A
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 483,099 | 882,043 | Indianapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.6 | 34.1 | Indianapolis + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 11.6% | Indianapolis + |
| White | 72.3% | 53.6% | Colorado Springs + |
| Black | 5.8% | 28.1% | Indianapolis + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 4.1% | Indianapolis + |
| Hispanic | 18.7% | 13.3% | Colorado Springs + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Colorado Springs
$83,198
Colorado Springs +
Indianapolis
$62,995
Per Capita Income
Colorado Springs
$44,893
Colorado Springs +
Indianapolis
$36,194
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Colorado Springs
$76,653
Colorado Springs +
Indianapolis
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Colorado Springs
5.5%
Indianapolis
5.2%
Indianapolis +
Poverty Rate
Colorado Springs
9.3%
Colorado Springs +
Indianapolis
15.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Colorado Springs
41.9%
Colorado Springs +
Indianapolis
34.2%
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,198 | $62,995 | Colorado Springs + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,893 | $36,194 | Colorado Springs + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $58,697 | Colorado Springs + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 5.2% | Indianapolis + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.3% | 15.7% | Colorado Springs + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.9% | 34.2% | Colorado Springs + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Colorado Springs
$451,202
Indianapolis
$232,133
Indianapolis +
Homeownership Rate
Colorado Springs
61.3%
Colorado Springs +
Indianapolis
55.3%
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $451,202 | $232,133 | Indianapolis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.3% | 55.3% | Colorado Springs + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
512
Indianapolis
370
Indianapolis +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
3234
Indianapolis
1719
Indianapolis +
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 370 | Indianapolis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1719 | Indianapolis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
28.4%
Indianapolis
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
9.0%
Indianapolis
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Colorado Springs
18.0%
Indianapolis
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
9.9%
Indianapolis
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
16.5%
Indianapolis
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
11.0%
Indianapolis
N/A
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.4% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.0% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.0% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Colorado Springs
49.0°F
Indianapolis
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Colorado Springs
16.5 in
Colorado Springs +
Indianapolis
41.8 in
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.0°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.5 in | 41.8 in | Colorado Springs + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
6.2 µg/m³
Colorado Springs +
Indianapolis
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Colorado Springs
75.0%
Colorado Springs +
Indianapolis
55.0%
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Colorado Springs + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Colorado Springs + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Colorado Springs
24.1 min
Colorado Springs +
Indianapolis
25.8 min
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 25.8 min | Colorado Springs + |
Which City is Right for You?
Colorado Springs leads in median household income at $83,198, 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 512 in Colorado Springs. Indianapolis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Colorado Springs has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³).
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