Indianapolis IN vs Lafayette LA — 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%
Lafayette, LA
Louisiana · Population: 121,537
- Median HH Income$61,454
- Median Home Price$225,222
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+40.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Indianapolis
882,043
Indianapolis +
Lafayette
121,537
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Indianapolis
N/A
Lafayette
N/A
Median Age
Indianapolis
34.1
Indianapolis +
Lafayette
37.1
Foreign Born
Indianapolis
11.6%
Indianapolis +
Lafayette
6.6%
White
Indianapolis
53.6%
Lafayette
59.1%
Lafayette +
Black
Indianapolis
28.1%
Lafayette
28.6%
Lafayette +
Asian
Indianapolis
4.1%
Indianapolis +
Lafayette
2.1%
Hispanic
Indianapolis
13.3%
Indianapolis +
Lafayette
7.6%
Spanish at Home
Indianapolis
N/A
Lafayette
N/A
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 882,043 | 121,537 | Indianapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 37.1 | Indianapolis + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 6.6% | Indianapolis + |
| White | 53.6% | 59.1% | Lafayette + |
| Black | 28.1% | 28.6% | Lafayette + |
| Asian | 4.1% | 2.1% | Indianapolis + |
| Hispanic | 13.3% | 7.6% | Indianapolis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Indianapolis
$62,995
Indianapolis +
Lafayette
$61,454
Per Capita Income
Indianapolis
$36,194
Lafayette
$39,861
Lafayette +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Indianapolis
$58,697
Indianapolis +
Lafayette
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Indianapolis
5.2%
Lafayette
5.1%
Lafayette +
Poverty Rate
Indianapolis
15.7%
Indianapolis +
Lafayette
19.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Indianapolis
34.2%
Lafayette
40.6%
Lafayette +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,995 | $61,454 | Indianapolis + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,194 | $39,861 | Lafayette + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $55,297 | Indianapolis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 5.1% | Lafayette + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% | 19.1% | Indianapolis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.2% | 40.6% | Lafayette + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Indianapolis
$232,133
Lafayette
$225,222
Lafayette +
Homeownership Rate
Indianapolis
55.3%
Indianapolis +
Lafayette
55.0%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $232,133 | $225,222 | Lafayette + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.3% | 55.0% | Indianapolis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
370
Indianapolis +
Lafayette
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
1719
Indianapolis +
Lafayette
2824
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 643 | Indianapolis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 2824 | Indianapolis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Lafayette
34.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Lafayette
14.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Indianapolis
N/A
Lafayette
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Lafayette
8.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Lafayette
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Lafayette
16.1%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 34.5% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.0% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.4% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.3% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.8% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.1% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Indianapolis
N/A
Lafayette
67.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Indianapolis
41.8 in
Indianapolis +
Lafayette
61.0 in
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 67.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.8 in | 61.0 in | Indianapolis + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
10.1 µg/m³
Lafayette
8.9 µg/m³
Lafayette +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Indianapolis
55.0%
Lafayette
75.0%
Lafayette +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Lafayette + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lafayette + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Indianapolis
25.8 min
Lafayette
21.5 min
Lafayette +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 21.5 min | Lafayette + |
Which City is Right for You?
Indianapolis leads in median household income at $62,995, while lafayette offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $225,222. On public safety, Indianapolis is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lafayette. Lafayette has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Lafayette has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³).
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