Indianapolis IN vs Lakewood CO — 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%
Lakewood, CO
Colorado · Population: 156,309
- Median HH Income$85,789
- Median Home Price$575,076
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+45.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Indianapolis
882,043
Indianapolis +
Lakewood
156,309
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Indianapolis
N/A
Lakewood
N/A
Median Age
Indianapolis
34.1
Indianapolis +
Lakewood
38.0
Foreign Born
Indianapolis
11.6%
Indianapolis +
Lakewood
8.5%
White
Indianapolis
53.6%
Lakewood
76.0%
Lakewood +
Black
Indianapolis
28.1%
Indianapolis +
Lakewood
1.4%
Asian
Indianapolis
4.1%
Indianapolis +
Lakewood
4.1%
Hispanic
Indianapolis
13.3%
Lakewood
22.4%
Lakewood +
Spanish at Home
Indianapolis
N/A
Lakewood
N/A
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 882,043 | 156,309 | Indianapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 38.0 | Indianapolis + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 8.5% | Indianapolis + |
| White | 53.6% | 76.0% | Lakewood + |
| Black | 28.1% | 1.4% | Indianapolis + |
| Asian | 4.1% | 4.1% | Indianapolis + |
| Hispanic | 13.3% | 22.4% | Lakewood + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Indianapolis
$62,995
Lakewood
$85,789
Lakewood +
Per Capita Income
Indianapolis
$36,194
Lakewood
$51,218
Lakewood +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Indianapolis
$58,697
Lakewood
$76,653
Lakewood +
Unemployment Rate
Indianapolis
5.2%
Lakewood
4.5%
Lakewood +
Poverty Rate
Indianapolis
15.7%
Lakewood
9.1%
Lakewood +
Bachelor's Degree+
Indianapolis
34.2%
Lakewood
45.3%
Lakewood +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,995 | $85,789 | Lakewood + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,194 | $51,218 | Lakewood + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $76,653 | Lakewood + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 4.5% | Lakewood + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% | 9.1% | Lakewood + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.2% | 45.3% | Lakewood + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Indianapolis
$232,133
Indianapolis +
Lakewood
$575,076
Homeownership Rate
Indianapolis
55.3%
Lakewood
58.1%
Lakewood +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $232,133 | $575,076 | Indianapolis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.3% | 58.1% | Lakewood + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
370
Indianapolis +
Lakewood
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
1719
Indianapolis +
Lakewood
3234
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 512 | Indianapolis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 3234 | Indianapolis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Lakewood
23.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Lakewood
8.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Indianapolis
N/A
Lakewood
15.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Lakewood
10.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Lakewood
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Lakewood
10.7%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 23.8% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.7% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 15.8% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.6% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 19.7% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.7% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Indianapolis
N/A
Lakewood
51.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Indianapolis
41.8 in
Lakewood
17.3 in
Lakewood +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 51.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.8 in | 17.3 in | Lakewood + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
10.1 µg/m³
Lakewood
6.2 µg/m³
Lakewood +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Indianapolis
55.0%
Lakewood
75.0%
Lakewood +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Lakewood + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lakewood + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Indianapolis
25.8 min
Indianapolis +
Lakewood
28.6 min
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 28.6 min | Indianapolis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lakewood leads in median household income at $85,789, 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 512 in Lakewood. Lakewood has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Lakewood has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³).
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