Fullerton 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)
Fullerton, CA
California · Population: 141,278
- Median HH Income$104,219
- Median Home Price$1,047,700
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+43.6%
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
Fullerton
141,278
Indianapolis
882,043
Indianapolis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fullerton
N/A
Indianapolis
N/A
Median Age
Fullerton
36.1
Indianapolis
34.1
Indianapolis +
Foreign Born
Fullerton
28.9%
Fullerton +
Indianapolis
11.6%
White
Fullerton
43.0%
Indianapolis
53.6%
Indianapolis +
Black
Fullerton
2.1%
Indianapolis
28.1%
Indianapolis +
Asian
Fullerton
24.5%
Fullerton +
Indianapolis
4.1%
Hispanic
Fullerton
39.6%
Fullerton +
Indianapolis
13.3%
Spanish at Home
Fullerton
N/A
Indianapolis
N/A
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 141,278 | 882,043 | Indianapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 34.1 | Indianapolis + |
| Foreign Born | 28.9% | 11.6% | Fullerton + |
| White | 43.0% | 53.6% | Indianapolis + |
| Black | 2.1% | 28.1% | Indianapolis + |
| Asian | 24.5% | 4.1% | Fullerton + |
| Hispanic | 39.6% | 13.3% | Fullerton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fullerton
$104,219
Fullerton +
Indianapolis
$62,995
Per Capita Income
Fullerton
$48,061
Fullerton +
Indianapolis
$36,194
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fullerton
$77,230
Fullerton +
Indianapolis
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Fullerton
6.5%
Indianapolis
5.2%
Indianapolis +
Poverty Rate
Fullerton
12.2%
Fullerton +
Indianapolis
15.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fullerton
43.6%
Fullerton +
Indianapolis
34.2%
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $104,219 | $62,995 | Fullerton + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,061 | $36,194 | Fullerton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $58,697 | Fullerton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 5.2% | Indianapolis + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | 15.7% | Fullerton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.6% | 34.2% | Fullerton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fullerton
$1,047,700
Indianapolis
$232,133
Indianapolis +
Homeownership Rate
Fullerton
51.5%
Indianapolis
55.3%
Indianapolis +
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,047,700 | $232,133 | Indianapolis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.5% | 55.3% | Indianapolis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fullerton
503
Indianapolis
370
Indianapolis +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fullerton
2388
Indianapolis
1719
Indianapolis +
| Metric | Fullerton, 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
Fullerton
23.9%
Indianapolis
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fullerton
10.9%
Indianapolis
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fullerton
16.8%
Indianapolis
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fullerton
10.2%
Indianapolis
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fullerton
15.0%
Indianapolis
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fullerton
9.2%
Indianapolis
N/A
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.9% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.2% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.0% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.2% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fullerton
65.1°F
Indianapolis
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fullerton
13.9 in
Fullerton +
Indianapolis
41.8 in
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.9 in | 41.8 in | Fullerton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fullerton
7.9 µg/m³
Fullerton +
Indianapolis
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fullerton
75.0%
Fullerton +
Indianapolis
55.0%
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Fullerton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Fullerton + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fullerton
32.5 min
Indianapolis
25.8 min
Indianapolis +
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.5 min | 25.8 min | Indianapolis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fullerton leads in median household income at $104,219, 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 Fullerton. Indianapolis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Fullerton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³).
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