Indianapolis IN vs Kent WA — 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%
Kent, WA
Washington · Population: 84,389
- Median HH Income$72,867
- Median Home Price$657,911
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+27.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Indianapolis
882,043
Indianapolis +
Kent
84,389
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Indianapolis
N/A
Kent
N/A
Median Age
Indianapolis
34.1
Indianapolis +
Kent
35.8
Foreign Born
Indianapolis
11.6%
Kent
14.1%
Kent +
White
Indianapolis
53.6%
Kent
67.2%
Kent +
Black
Indianapolis
28.1%
Indianapolis +
Kent
2.3%
Asian
Indianapolis
4.1%
Indianapolis +
Kent
1.9%
Hispanic
Indianapolis
13.3%
Kent
31.8%
Kent +
Spanish at Home
Indianapolis
N/A
Kent
N/A
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 882,043 | 84,389 | Indianapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 35.8 | Indianapolis + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 14.1% | Kent + |
| White | 53.6% | 67.2% | Kent + |
| Black | 28.1% | 2.3% | Indianapolis + |
| Asian | 4.1% | 1.9% | Indianapolis + |
| Hispanic | 13.3% | 31.8% | Kent + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Indianapolis
$62,995
Kent
$72,867
Kent +
Per Capita Income
Indianapolis
$36,194
Indianapolis +
Kent
$35,662
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Indianapolis
$58,697
Kent
$76,120
Kent +
Unemployment Rate
Indianapolis
5.2%
Kent
4.9%
Kent +
Poverty Rate
Indianapolis
15.7%
Kent
13.9%
Kent +
Bachelor's Degree+
Indianapolis
34.2%
Indianapolis +
Kent
27.0%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,995 | $72,867 | Kent + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,194 | $35,662 | Indianapolis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $76,120 | Kent + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 4.9% | Kent + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% | 13.9% | Kent + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.2% | 27.0% | Indianapolis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Indianapolis
$232,133
Indianapolis +
Kent
$657,911
Homeownership Rate
Indianapolis
55.3%
Kent
62.8%
Kent +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $232,133 | $657,911 | Indianapolis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.3% | 62.8% | Kent + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
370
Indianapolis +
Kent
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
1719
Indianapolis +
Kent
3409
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 383 | Indianapolis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 3409 | Indianapolis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Kent
25.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Kent
9.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Indianapolis
N/A
Kent
17.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Kent
10.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Kent
15.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Kent
10.3%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 25.7% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.3% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 17.2% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.6% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.7% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.3% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Indianapolis
N/A
Kent
53.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Indianapolis
41.8 in
Kent
39.1 in
Kent +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 53.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.8 in | 39.1 in | Kent + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
10.1 µg/m³
Kent
7.5 µg/m³
Kent +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Indianapolis
55.0%
Kent
75.0%
Kent +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Kent + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Kent + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Indianapolis
25.8 min
Kent
23.0 min
Kent +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 23.0 min | Kent + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kent leads in median household income at $72,867, 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 383 in Kent. Kent has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Kent has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³).
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