Columbus 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)
Columbus, OH
Ohio · Population: 906,480
- Median HH Income$65,327
- Median Home Price$248,749
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+38.2%
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
Columbus
906,480
Columbus +
Indianapolis
882,043
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Indianapolis
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
33.0
Columbus +
Indianapolis
34.1
Foreign Born
Columbus
14.4%
Columbus +
Indianapolis
11.6%
White
Columbus
53.3%
Indianapolis
53.6%
Indianapolis +
Black
Columbus
29.0%
Columbus +
Indianapolis
28.1%
Asian
Columbus
5.8%
Columbus +
Indianapolis
4.1%
Hispanic
Columbus
7.9%
Indianapolis
13.3%
Indianapolis +
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Indianapolis
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 906,480 | 882,043 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 34.1 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 14.4% | 11.6% | Columbus + |
| White | 53.3% | 53.6% | Indianapolis + |
| Black | 29.0% | 28.1% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 4.1% | Columbus + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 13.3% | Indianapolis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$65,327
Columbus +
Indianapolis
$62,995
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$37,189
Columbus +
Indianapolis
$36,194
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$58,300
Indianapolis
$58,697
Indianapolis +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
5.1%
Columbus +
Indianapolis
5.2%
Poverty Rate
Columbus
17.8%
Indianapolis
15.7%
Indianapolis +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
38.2%
Columbus +
Indianapolis
34.2%
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,327 | $62,995 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,189 | $36,194 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $58,697 | Indianapolis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 5.2% | Columbus + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.8% | 15.7% | Indianapolis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.2% | 34.2% | Columbus + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$248,749
Indianapolis
$232,133
Indianapolis +
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
44.3%
Indianapolis
55.3%
Indianapolis +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,749 | $232,133 | Indianapolis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.3% | 55.3% | Indianapolis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
319
Columbus +
Indianapolis
370
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1866
Indianapolis
1719
Indianapolis +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 370 | Columbus + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1719 | Indianapolis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
34.7%
Indianapolis
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
11.8%
Indianapolis
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.8%
Indianapolis
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
9.7%
Indianapolis
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
18.1%
Indianapolis
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.2%
Indianapolis
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.2% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
N/A
Indianapolis
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
40.2 in
Columbus +
Indianapolis
41.8 in
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.2 in | 41.8 in | Columbus + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
10.3 µg/m³
Indianapolis
10.1 µg/m³
Indianapolis +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Indianapolis
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbus, 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
Columbus
23.4 min
Columbus +
Indianapolis
25.8 min
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 25.8 min | Columbus + |
Which City is Right for You?
Columbus leads in median household income at $65,327, while indianapolis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $232,133. On public safety, Columbus is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in Indianapolis. Columbus has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Indianapolis has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 10.1 µg/m³).
Compare More Cities
Columbus, OH vs New York, NYColumbus, OH vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Columbus, OHColumbus, OH vs Houston, TXColumbus, OH vs Phoenix, AZColumbus, OH vs Philadelphia, PA