Evansville IN 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)
Evansville, IN
Indiana · Population: 116,441
- Median HH Income$52,251
- Median Home Price$200,657
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+22.3%
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
Evansville
116,441
Indianapolis
882,043
Indianapolis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Evansville
N/A
Indianapolis
N/A
Median Age
Evansville
38.1
Indianapolis
34.1
Indianapolis +
Foreign Born
Evansville
3.9%
Indianapolis
11.6%
Indianapolis +
White
Evansville
77.1%
Evansville +
Indianapolis
53.6%
Black
Evansville
13.5%
Indianapolis
28.1%
Indianapolis +
Asian
Evansville
1.1%
Indianapolis
4.1%
Indianapolis +
Hispanic
Evansville
4.0%
Indianapolis
13.3%
Indianapolis +
Spanish at Home
Evansville
N/A
Indianapolis
N/A
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 116,441 | 882,043 | Indianapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 34.1 | Indianapolis + |
| Foreign Born | 3.9% | 11.6% | Indianapolis + |
| White | 77.1% | 53.6% | Evansville + |
| Black | 13.5% | 28.1% | Indianapolis + |
| Asian | 1.1% | 4.1% | Indianapolis + |
| Hispanic | 4.0% | 13.3% | Indianapolis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Evansville
$52,251
Indianapolis
$62,995
Indianapolis +
Per Capita Income
Evansville
$31,236
Indianapolis
$36,194
Indianapolis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Evansville
$58,697
Indianapolis
$58,697
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Evansville
5.3%
Indianapolis
5.2%
Indianapolis +
Poverty Rate
Evansville
18.6%
Indianapolis
15.7%
Indianapolis +
Bachelor's Degree+
Evansville
22.3%
Indianapolis
34.2%
Indianapolis +
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,251 | $62,995 | Indianapolis + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,236 | $36,194 | Indianapolis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $58,697 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 5.2% | Indianapolis + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.6% | 15.7% | Indianapolis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.3% | 34.2% | Indianapolis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Evansville
$200,657
Evansville +
Indianapolis
$232,133
Homeownership Rate
Evansville
53.9%
Indianapolis
55.3%
Indianapolis +
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $200,657 | $232,133 | Evansville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.9% | 55.3% | Indianapolis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Evansville
370
Indianapolis
370
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Evansville
1719
Indianapolis
1719
Tie
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 370 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1719 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Evansville
40.0%
Indianapolis
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Evansville
13.8%
Indianapolis
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Evansville
19.7%
Indianapolis
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Evansville
9.6%
Indianapolis
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Evansville
15.8%
Indianapolis
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Evansville
18.6%
Indianapolis
N/A
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.0% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.6% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Evansville
60.1°F
Indianapolis
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Evansville
46.8 in
Indianapolis
41.8 in
Indianapolis +
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.8 in | 41.8 in | Indianapolis + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Evansville
10.1 µg/m³
Indianapolis
10.1 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Evansville
55.0%
Indianapolis
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Evansville
20.2 min
Evansville +
Indianapolis
25.8 min
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.2 min | 25.8 min | Evansville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Indianapolis leads in median household income at $62,995, while evansville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $200,657. On public safety, Indianapolis is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in Evansville. 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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