Indianapolis IN vs Kansas City KS — 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%
Kansas City, KS
Kansas · Population: 154,776
- Median HH Income$59,183
- Median Home Price$202,558
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+20.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Indianapolis
882,043
Indianapolis +
Kansas City
154,776
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Indianapolis
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
Median Age
Indianapolis
34.1
Kansas City
34.0
Kansas City +
Foreign Born
Indianapolis
11.6%
Kansas City
18.6%
Kansas City +
White
Indianapolis
53.6%
Indianapolis +
Kansas City
44.0%
Black
Indianapolis
28.1%
Indianapolis +
Kansas City
20.4%
Asian
Indianapolis
4.1%
Kansas City
5.3%
Kansas City +
Hispanic
Indianapolis
13.3%
Kansas City
35.0%
Kansas City +
Spanish at Home
Indianapolis
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 882,043 | 154,776 | Indianapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 34.0 | Kansas City + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 18.6% | Kansas City + |
| White | 53.6% | 44.0% | Indianapolis + |
| Black | 28.1% | 20.4% | Indianapolis + |
| Asian | 4.1% | 5.3% | Kansas City + |
| Hispanic | 13.3% | 35.0% | Kansas City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Indianapolis
$62,995
Indianapolis +
Kansas City
$59,183
Per Capita Income
Indianapolis
$36,194
Indianapolis +
Kansas City
$28,059
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Indianapolis
$58,697
Kansas City
$61,860
Kansas City +
Unemployment Rate
Indianapolis
5.2%
Indianapolis +
Kansas City
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Indianapolis
15.7%
Indianapolis +
Kansas City
17.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Indianapolis
34.2%
Indianapolis +
Kansas City
20.2%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,995 | $59,183 | Indianapolis + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,194 | $28,059 | Indianapolis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $61,860 | Kansas City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 5.5% | Indianapolis + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% | 17.9% | Indianapolis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.2% | 20.2% | Indianapolis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Indianapolis
$232,133
Kansas City
$202,558
Kansas City +
Homeownership Rate
Indianapolis
55.3%
Kansas City
60.4%
Kansas City +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $232,133 | $202,558 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.3% | 60.4% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
370
Indianapolis +
Kansas City
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
1719
Indianapolis +
Kansas City
2174
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 449 | Indianapolis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 2174 | Indianapolis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Kansas City
41.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Kansas City
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Indianapolis
N/A
Kansas City
17.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Kansas City
18.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Kansas City
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Kansas City
18.3%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 41.2% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.6% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 17.6% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 18.4% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.3% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 18.3% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Indianapolis
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Indianapolis
41.8 in
Kansas City
38.1 in
Kansas City +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.8 in | 38.1 in | Kansas City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
10.1 µg/m³
Kansas City
8.2 µg/m³
Kansas City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Indianapolis
55.0%
Kansas City
75.0%
Kansas City +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Kansas City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Kansas City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Indianapolis
25.8 min
Kansas City
23.7 min
Kansas City +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 23.7 min | Kansas City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Indianapolis leads in median household income at $62,995, while kansas City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $202,558. On public safety, Indianapolis is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Kansas City. Indianapolis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Kansas City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³).
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