Dallas TX 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)
Dallas, TX
Texas · Population: 1,299,553
- Median HH Income$67,760
- Median Home Price$311,957
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+37.4%
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
Dallas
1,299,553
Dallas +
Indianapolis
882,043
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dallas
N/A
Indianapolis
N/A
Median Age
Dallas
33.4
Dallas +
Indianapolis
34.1
Foreign Born
Dallas
23.4%
Dallas +
Indianapolis
11.6%
White
Dallas
41.9%
Indianapolis
53.6%
Indianapolis +
Black
Dallas
23.7%
Indianapolis
28.1%
Indianapolis +
Asian
Dallas
3.7%
Indianapolis
4.1%
Indianapolis +
Hispanic
Dallas
41.9%
Dallas +
Indianapolis
13.3%
Spanish at Home
Dallas
N/A
Indianapolis
N/A
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,299,553 | 882,043 | Dallas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 34.1 | Dallas + |
| Foreign Born | 23.4% | 11.6% | Dallas + |
| White | 41.9% | 53.6% | Indianapolis + |
| Black | 23.7% | 28.1% | Indianapolis + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 4.1% | Indianapolis + |
| Hispanic | 41.9% | 13.3% | Dallas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dallas
$67,760
Dallas +
Indianapolis
$62,995
Per Capita Income
Dallas
$44,138
Dallas +
Indianapolis
$36,194
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dallas
$63,758
Dallas +
Indianapolis
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Dallas
4.9%
Dallas +
Indianapolis
5.2%
Poverty Rate
Dallas
17.2%
Indianapolis
15.7%
Indianapolis +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dallas
37.4%
Dallas +
Indianapolis
34.2%
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,760 | $62,995 | Dallas + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,138 | $36,194 | Dallas + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $58,697 | Dallas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.2% | Dallas + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.2% | 15.7% | Indianapolis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.4% | 34.2% | Dallas + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dallas
$311,957
Indianapolis
$232,133
Indianapolis +
Homeownership Rate
Dallas
42.4%
Indianapolis
55.3%
Indianapolis +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $311,957 | $232,133 | Indianapolis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.4% | 55.3% | Indianapolis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dallas
442
Indianapolis
370
Indianapolis +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dallas
2339
Indianapolis
1719
Indianapolis +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 370 | Indianapolis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1719 | Indianapolis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dallas
36.8%
Indianapolis
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dallas
12.4%
Indianapolis
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dallas
17.8%
Indianapolis
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dallas
22.7%
Indianapolis
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dallas
17.4%
Indianapolis
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dallas
13.0%
Indianapolis
N/A
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.7% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dallas
65.9°F
Indianapolis
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dallas
40.6 in
Dallas +
Indianapolis
41.8 in
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.6 in | 41.8 in | Dallas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dallas
9.2 µg/m³
Dallas +
Indianapolis
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dallas
55.0%
Indianapolis
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Dallas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dallas
28.3 min
Indianapolis
25.8 min
Indianapolis +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.3 min | 25.8 min | Indianapolis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Dallas leads in median household income at $67,760, 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 442 in Dallas. Dallas has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Dallas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³).
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