Indianapolis IN vs Kirkland 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%
Kirkland, WA
Washington · Population: 57,088
- Median HH Income$87,277
- Median Home Price$1,274,801
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Indianapolis
882,043
Indianapolis +
Kirkland
57,088
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Indianapolis
N/A
Kirkland
N/A
Median Age
Indianapolis
34.1
Indianapolis +
Kirkland
37.7
Foreign Born
Indianapolis
11.6%
Kirkland
12.4%
Kirkland +
White
Indianapolis
53.6%
Kirkland
66.8%
Kirkland +
Black
Indianapolis
28.1%
Indianapolis +
Kirkland
6.1%
Asian
Indianapolis
4.1%
Kirkland
10.0%
Kirkland +
Hispanic
Indianapolis
13.3%
Indianapolis +
Kirkland
12.7%
Spanish at Home
Indianapolis
N/A
Kirkland
N/A
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 882,043 | 57,088 | Indianapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 37.7 | Indianapolis + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 12.4% | Kirkland + |
| White | 53.6% | 66.8% | Kirkland + |
| Black | 28.1% | 6.1% | Indianapolis + |
| Asian | 4.1% | 10.0% | Kirkland + |
| Hispanic | 13.3% | 12.7% | Indianapolis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Indianapolis
$62,995
Kirkland
$87,277
Kirkland +
Per Capita Income
Indianapolis
$36,194
Kirkland
$41,024
Kirkland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Indianapolis
$58,697
Kirkland
$76,120
Kirkland +
Unemployment Rate
Indianapolis
5.2%
Kirkland
5.1%
Kirkland +
Poverty Rate
Indianapolis
15.7%
Kirkland
11.0%
Kirkland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Indianapolis
34.2%
Indianapolis +
Kirkland
32.2%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,995 | $87,277 | Kirkland + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,194 | $41,024 | Kirkland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $76,120 | Kirkland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 5.1% | Kirkland + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% | 11.0% | Kirkland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.2% | 32.2% | Indianapolis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Indianapolis
$232,133
Indianapolis +
Kirkland
$1,274,801
Homeownership Rate
Indianapolis
55.3%
Kirkland
57.2%
Kirkland +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $232,133 | $1,274,801 | Indianapolis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.3% | 57.2% | Kirkland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
370
Indianapolis +
Kirkland
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
1719
Indianapolis +
Kirkland
3409
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Kirkland, 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
Kirkland
21.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Kirkland
6.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Indianapolis
N/A
Kirkland
14.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Kirkland
5.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Kirkland
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Kirkland
6.3%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 21.8% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 6.4% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 14.2% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 5.3% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 18.1% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 6.3% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Indianapolis
N/A
Kirkland
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Indianapolis
41.8 in
Kirkland
N/A
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
10.1 µg/m³
Kirkland
7.5 µg/m³
Kirkland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Indianapolis
55.0%
Kirkland
75.0%
Kirkland +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Kirkland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Kirkland + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Indianapolis
25.8 min
Indianapolis +
Kirkland
28.2 min
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 28.2 min | Indianapolis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kirkland leads in median household income at $87,277, 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 Kirkland. Kirkland has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Kirkland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³).
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