Indianapolis IN vs Irvine CA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Indianapolis, IN
Indiana · Population: 882,043
- Median HH Income$62,995
- Median Home Price$232,133
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+34.2%
Irvine, CA
California · Population: 308,160
- Median HH Income$129,647
- Median Home Price$1,566,872
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+70.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Indianapolis
882,043
Indianapolis +
Irvine
308,160
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Indianapolis
N/A
Irvine
N/A
Median Age
Indianapolis
34.1
Irvine
33.9
Irvine +
Foreign Born
Indianapolis
11.6%
Irvine
39.3%
Irvine +
White
Indianapolis
53.6%
Indianapolis +
Irvine
38.7%
Black
Indianapolis
28.1%
Indianapolis +
Irvine
2.0%
Asian
Indianapolis
4.1%
Irvine
44.1%
Irvine +
Hispanic
Indianapolis
13.3%
Indianapolis +
Irvine
11.3%
Spanish at Home
Indianapolis
N/A
Irvine
N/A
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 882,043 | 308,160 | Indianapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 33.9 | Irvine + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 39.3% | Irvine + |
| White | 53.6% | 38.7% | Indianapolis + |
| Black | 28.1% | 2.0% | Indianapolis + |
| Asian | 4.1% | 44.1% | Irvine + |
| Hispanic | 13.3% | 11.3% | Indianapolis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Indianapolis
$62,995
Irvine
$129,647
Irvine +
Per Capita Income
Indianapolis
$36,194
Irvine
$62,149
Irvine +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Indianapolis
$58,697
Irvine
$77,230
Irvine +
Unemployment Rate
Indianapolis
5.2%
Indianapolis +
Irvine
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Indianapolis
15.7%
Irvine
11.7%
Irvine +
Bachelor's Degree+
Indianapolis
34.2%
Irvine
70.6%
Irvine +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,995 | $129,647 | Irvine + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,194 | $62,149 | Irvine + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $77,230 | Irvine + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 5.5% | Indianapolis + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% | 11.7% | Irvine + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.2% | 70.6% | Irvine + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Indianapolis
$232,133
Indianapolis +
Irvine
$1,566,872
Homeownership Rate
Indianapolis
55.3%
Indianapolis +
Irvine
43.8%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $232,133 | $1,566,872 | Indianapolis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.3% | 43.8% | Indianapolis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
370
Indianapolis +
Irvine
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
1719
Indianapolis +
Irvine
2388
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 503 | Indianapolis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 2388 | Indianapolis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Irvine
19.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Irvine
8.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Indianapolis
N/A
Irvine
15.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Irvine
5.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Irvine
15.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Irvine
6.9%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 19.2% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.3% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 15.4% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 5.0% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.2% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 6.9% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Indianapolis
N/A
Irvine
65.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Indianapolis
41.8 in
Irvine
14.3 in
Irvine +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 65.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.8 in | 14.3 in | Irvine + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
10.1 µg/m³
Irvine
7.9 µg/m³
Irvine +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Indianapolis
55.0%
Irvine
75.0%
Irvine +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Irvine + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Irvine + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Indianapolis
25.8 min
Indianapolis +
Irvine
26.0 min
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 26.0 min | Indianapolis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Irvine leads in median household income at $129,647, 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 Irvine. Indianapolis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Irvine has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³).
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