Houston TX 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)
Houston, TX
Texas · Population: 2,300,419
- Median HH Income$62,894
- Median Home Price$265,062
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.0%
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
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Indianapolis
882,043
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Houston
N/A
Indianapolis
N/A
Median Age
Houston
34.3
Indianapolis
34.1
Indianapolis +
Foreign Born
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
Indianapolis
11.6%
White
Houston
35.5%
Indianapolis
53.6%
Indianapolis +
Black
Houston
22.9%
Indianapolis
28.1%
Indianapolis +
Asian
Houston
6.9%
Houston +
Indianapolis
4.1%
Hispanic
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Indianapolis
13.3%
Spanish at Home
Houston
N/A
Indianapolis
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 882,043 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 34.1 | Indianapolis + |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | 11.6% | Houston + |
| White | 35.5% | 53.6% | Indianapolis + |
| Black | 22.9% | 28.1% | Indianapolis + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 4.1% | Houston + |
| Hispanic | 44.1% | 13.3% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Houston
$62,894
Indianapolis
$62,995
Indianapolis +
Per Capita Income
Houston
$41,142
Houston +
Indianapolis
$36,194
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Houston
$63,758
Houston +
Indianapolis
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Houston
6.7%
Indianapolis
5.2%
Indianapolis +
Poverty Rate
Houston
19.7%
Indianapolis
15.7%
Indianapolis +
Bachelor's Degree+
Houston
36.0%
Houston +
Indianapolis
34.2%
| Metric | Houston, TX | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,894 | $62,995 | Indianapolis + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,142 | $36,194 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $58,697 | Houston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 5.2% | Indianapolis + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 15.7% | Indianapolis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.0% | 34.2% | Houston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Houston
$265,062
Indianapolis
$232,133
Indianapolis +
Homeownership Rate
Houston
42.0%
Indianapolis
55.3%
Indianapolis +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,062 | $232,133 | Indianapolis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 55.3% | Indianapolis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
442
Indianapolis
370
Indianapolis +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
2339
Indianapolis
1719
Indianapolis +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 370 | Indianapolis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1719 | Indianapolis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
38.0%
Indianapolis
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.9%
Indianapolis
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Houston
17.1%
Indianapolis
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Houston
24.0%
Indianapolis
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Houston
16.7%
Indianapolis
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.6%
Indianapolis
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.0% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.6% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
N/A
Indianapolis
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
48.7 in
Indianapolis
41.8 in
Indianapolis +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7 in | 41.8 in | Indianapolis + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Houston +
Indianapolis
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Houston
55.0%
Indianapolis
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Houston, TX | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Houston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Houston
29.6 min
Indianapolis
25.8 min
Indianapolis +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 25.8 min | Indianapolis + |
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, Indianapolis is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Houston. Indianapolis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Houston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³).
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