Fresno CA 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)
Fresno, CA
California · Population: 543,615
- Median HH Income$66,804
- Median Home Price$391,442
- Unemployment8.6%
- Bachelor's+24.9%
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
Fresno
543,615
Indianapolis
882,043
Indianapolis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fresno
N/A
Indianapolis
N/A
Median Age
Fresno
32.4
Fresno +
Indianapolis
34.1
Foreign Born
Fresno
18.9%
Fresno +
Indianapolis
11.6%
White
Fresno
38.0%
Indianapolis
53.6%
Indianapolis +
Black
Fresno
6.7%
Indianapolis
28.1%
Indianapolis +
Asian
Fresno
14.2%
Fresno +
Indianapolis
4.1%
Hispanic
Fresno
50.5%
Fresno +
Indianapolis
13.3%
Spanish at Home
Fresno
N/A
Indianapolis
N/A
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 543,615 | 882,043 | Indianapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 34.1 | Fresno + |
| Foreign Born | 18.9% | 11.6% | Fresno + |
| White | 38.0% | 53.6% | Indianapolis + |
| Black | 6.7% | 28.1% | Indianapolis + |
| Asian | 14.2% | 4.1% | Fresno + |
| Hispanic | 50.5% | 13.3% | Fresno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fresno
$66,804
Fresno +
Indianapolis
$62,995
Per Capita Income
Fresno
$31,012
Indianapolis
$36,194
Indianapolis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fresno
$77,230
Fresno +
Indianapolis
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Fresno
8.6%
Indianapolis
5.2%
Indianapolis +
Poverty Rate
Fresno
20.9%
Indianapolis
15.7%
Indianapolis +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fresno
24.9%
Indianapolis
34.2%
Indianapolis +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,804 | $62,995 | Fresno + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,012 | $36,194 | Indianapolis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $58,697 | Fresno + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.6% | 5.2% | Indianapolis + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.9% | 15.7% | Indianapolis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 34.2% | Indianapolis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fresno
$391,442
Indianapolis
$232,133
Indianapolis +
Homeownership Rate
Fresno
49.7%
Indianapolis
55.3%
Indianapolis +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $391,442 | $232,133 | Indianapolis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 55.3% | Indianapolis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
503
Indianapolis
370
Indianapolis +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
2388
Indianapolis
1719
Indianapolis +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 370 | Indianapolis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1719 | Indianapolis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
37.5%
Indianapolis
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
12.7%
Indianapolis
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fresno
19.1%
Indianapolis
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fresno
15.3%
Indianapolis
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fresno
14.1%
Indianapolis
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fresno
13.8%
Indianapolis
N/A
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.5% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.8% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
64.2°F
Indianapolis
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
12.8 in
Fresno +
Indianapolis
41.8 in
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.8 in | 41.8 in | Fresno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fresno
7.9 µg/m³
Fresno +
Indianapolis
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fresno
75.0%
Fresno +
Indianapolis
55.0%
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Fresno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Fresno + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fresno
23.7 min
Fresno +
Indianapolis
25.8 min
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 25.8 min | Fresno + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fresno leads in median household income at $66,804, 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 503 in Fresno. Indianapolis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Fresno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³).
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