Denver 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)
Denver, CO
Colorado · Population: 713,734
- Median HH Income$91,681
- Median Home Price$541,899
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+55.6%
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
Denver
713,734
Indianapolis
882,043
Indianapolis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Denver
N/A
Indianapolis
N/A
Median Age
Denver
35.2
Indianapolis
34.1
Indianapolis +
Foreign Born
Denver
13.9%
Denver +
Indianapolis
11.6%
White
Denver
62.9%
Denver +
Indianapolis
53.6%
Black
Denver
8.8%
Indianapolis
28.1%
Indianapolis +
Asian
Denver
3.6%
Indianapolis
4.1%
Indianapolis +
Hispanic
Denver
27.9%
Denver +
Indianapolis
13.3%
Spanish at Home
Denver
N/A
Indianapolis
N/A
| Metric | Denver, CO | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 713,734 | 882,043 | Indianapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 34.1 | Indianapolis + |
| Foreign Born | 13.9% | 11.6% | Denver + |
| White | 62.9% | 53.6% | Denver + |
| Black | 8.8% | 28.1% | Indianapolis + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 4.1% | Indianapolis + |
| Hispanic | 27.9% | 13.3% | Denver + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Denver
$91,681
Denver +
Indianapolis
$62,995
Per Capita Income
Denver
$61,202
Denver +
Indianapolis
$36,194
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Denver
$76,653
Denver +
Indianapolis
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Denver
4.6%
Denver +
Indianapolis
5.2%
Poverty Rate
Denver
11.2%
Denver +
Indianapolis
15.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Denver
55.6%
Denver +
Indianapolis
34.2%
| Metric | Denver, CO | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $91,681 | $62,995 | Denver + |
| Per Capita Income | $61,202 | $36,194 | Denver + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $58,697 | Denver + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 5.2% | Denver + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.2% | 15.7% | Denver + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 55.6% | 34.2% | Denver + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Denver
$541,899
Indianapolis
$232,133
Indianapolis +
Homeownership Rate
Denver
49.1%
Indianapolis
55.3%
Indianapolis +
| Metric | Denver, CO | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $541,899 | $232,133 | Indianapolis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.1% | 55.3% | Indianapolis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Denver
512
Indianapolis
370
Indianapolis +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Denver
3234
Indianapolis
1719
Indianapolis +
| Metric | Denver, 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
Denver
21.6%
Indianapolis
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Denver
7.1%
Indianapolis
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Denver
15.5%
Indianapolis
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Denver
13.3%
Indianapolis
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Denver
25.9%
Indianapolis
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Denver
10.2%
Indianapolis
N/A
| Metric | Denver, CO | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 21.6% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.1% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.3% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 25.9% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.2% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Denver
N/A
Indianapolis
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Denver
17.2 in
Denver +
Indianapolis
41.8 in
| Metric | Denver, CO | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.2 in | 41.8 in | Denver + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Denver
6.2 µg/m³
Denver +
Indianapolis
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Denver
75.0%
Denver +
Indianapolis
55.0%
| Metric | Denver, CO | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Denver + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Denver + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Denver
27.4 min
Indianapolis
25.8 min
Indianapolis +
| Metric | Denver, CO | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.4 min | 25.8 min | Indianapolis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Denver leads in median household income at $91,681, 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 Denver. Denver has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Denver has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³).
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