Gainesville 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)
Gainesville, FL
Florida · Population: 143,611
- Median HH Income$45,611
- Median Home Price$299,633
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
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
Gainesville
143,611
Indianapolis
882,043
Indianapolis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gainesville
N/A
Indianapolis
N/A
Median Age
Gainesville
26.5
Gainesville +
Indianapolis
34.1
Foreign Born
Gainesville
12.1%
Gainesville +
Indianapolis
11.6%
White
Gainesville
59.2%
Gainesville +
Indianapolis
53.6%
Black
Gainesville
21.6%
Indianapolis
28.1%
Indianapolis +
Asian
Gainesville
6.2%
Gainesville +
Indianapolis
4.1%
Hispanic
Gainesville
13.4%
Gainesville +
Indianapolis
13.3%
Spanish at Home
Gainesville
N/A
Indianapolis
N/A
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 143,611 | 882,043 | Indianapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 26.5 | 34.1 | Gainesville + |
| Foreign Born | 12.1% | 11.6% | Gainesville + |
| White | 59.2% | 53.6% | Gainesville + |
| Black | 21.6% | 28.1% | Indianapolis + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 4.1% | Gainesville + |
| Hispanic | 13.4% | 13.3% | Gainesville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gainesville
$45,611
Indianapolis
$62,995
Indianapolis +
Per Capita Income
Gainesville
$30,282
Indianapolis
$36,194
Indianapolis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gainesville
$65,328
Gainesville +
Indianapolis
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Gainesville
4.8%
Gainesville +
Indianapolis
5.2%
Poverty Rate
Gainesville
28.0%
Indianapolis
15.7%
Indianapolis +
Bachelor's Degree+
Gainesville
51.7%
Gainesville +
Indianapolis
34.2%
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,611 | $62,995 | Indianapolis + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,282 | $36,194 | Indianapolis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $58,697 | Gainesville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 5.2% | Gainesville + |
| Poverty Rate | 28.0% | 15.7% | Indianapolis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 51.7% | 34.2% | Gainesville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gainesville
$299,633
Indianapolis
$232,133
Indianapolis +
Homeownership Rate
Gainesville
38.5%
Indianapolis
55.3%
Indianapolis +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $299,633 | $232,133 | Indianapolis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.5% | 55.3% | Indianapolis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
324
Gainesville +
Indianapolis
370
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
1453
Gainesville +
Indianapolis
1719
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 370 | Gainesville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1719 | Gainesville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
31.2%
Indianapolis
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
8.8%
Indianapolis
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gainesville
21.3%
Indianapolis
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
13.9%
Indianapolis
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
17.8%
Indianapolis
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
11.8%
Indianapolis
N/A
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.2% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.8% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.3% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.8% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
68.9°F
Indianapolis
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
47.3 in
Indianapolis
41.8 in
Indianapolis +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 68.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.3 in | 41.8 in | Indianapolis + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gainesville
7.2 µg/m³
Gainesville +
Indianapolis
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gainesville
75.0%
Gainesville +
Indianapolis
55.0%
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Gainesville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Gainesville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gainesville
20.1 min
Gainesville +
Indianapolis
25.8 min
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 25.8 min | Gainesville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Indianapolis leads in median household income at $62,995, while indianapolis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $232,133. On public safety, Gainesville is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in Indianapolis. Gainesville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Gainesville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³).
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