Fort Lauderdale FL 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)
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Florida · Population: 183,032
- Median HH Income$79,935
- Median Home Price$510,297
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+39.8%
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
Fort Lauderdale
183,032
Indianapolis
882,043
Indianapolis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Indianapolis
N/A
Median Age
Fort Lauderdale
42.9
Indianapolis
34.1
Indianapolis +
Foreign Born
Fort Lauderdale
26.7%
Fort Lauderdale +
Indianapolis
11.6%
White
Fort Lauderdale
51.3%
Indianapolis
53.6%
Indianapolis +
Black
Fort Lauderdale
28.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Indianapolis
28.1%
Asian
Fort Lauderdale
1.6%
Indianapolis
4.1%
Indianapolis +
Hispanic
Fort Lauderdale
20.1%
Fort Lauderdale +
Indianapolis
13.3%
Spanish at Home
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Indianapolis
N/A
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 183,032 | 882,043 | Indianapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.9 | 34.1 | Indianapolis + |
| Foreign Born | 26.7% | 11.6% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| White | 51.3% | 53.6% | Indianapolis + |
| Black | 28.8% | 28.1% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 4.1% | Indianapolis + |
| Hispanic | 20.1% | 13.3% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Lauderdale
$79,935
Fort Lauderdale +
Indianapolis
$62,995
Per Capita Income
Fort Lauderdale
$57,845
Fort Lauderdale +
Indianapolis
$36,194
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Lauderdale
$65,328
Fort Lauderdale +
Indianapolis
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Fort Lauderdale
5.3%
Indianapolis
5.2%
Indianapolis +
Poverty Rate
Fort Lauderdale
15.2%
Fort Lauderdale +
Indianapolis
15.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Lauderdale
39.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Indianapolis
34.2%
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,935 | $62,995 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,845 | $36,194 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $58,697 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 5.2% | Indianapolis + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.2% | 15.7% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 39.8% | 34.2% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Lauderdale
$510,297
Indianapolis
$232,133
Indianapolis +
Homeownership Rate
Fort Lauderdale
53.8%
Indianapolis
55.3%
Indianapolis +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $510,297 | $232,133 | Indianapolis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.8% | 55.3% | Indianapolis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
324
Fort Lauderdale +
Indianapolis
370
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
1453
Fort Lauderdale +
Indianapolis
1719
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 370 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1719 | Fort Lauderdale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
30.3%
Indianapolis
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
12.8%
Indianapolis
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Lauderdale
16.2%
Indianapolis
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
14.7%
Indianapolis
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
14.9%
Indianapolis
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
13.0%
Indianapolis
N/A
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.3% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.8% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Lauderdale
75.5°F
Indianapolis
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Lauderdale
66.5 in
Indianapolis
41.8 in
Indianapolis +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 75.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.5 in | 41.8 in | Indianapolis + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
7.2 µg/m³
Fort Lauderdale +
Indianapolis
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Lauderdale
75.0%
Fort Lauderdale +
Indianapolis
55.0%
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Lauderdale
28.5 min
Indianapolis
25.8 min
Indianapolis +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.5 min | 25.8 min | Indianapolis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Lauderdale leads in median household income at $79,935, while indianapolis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $232,133. On public safety, Fort Lauderdale is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in Indianapolis. Indianapolis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Fort Lauderdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³).
Compare More Cities
Fort Lauderdale, FL vs New York, NYFort Lauderdale, FL vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Fort Lauderdale, FLFort Lauderdale, FL vs Houston, TXFort Lauderdale, FL vs Phoenix, AZFort Lauderdale, FL vs Philadelphia, PA