Indianapolis IN vs Lancaster CA — 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%
Lancaster, CA
California · Population: 170,013
- Median HH Income$76,083
- Median Home Price$466,147
- Unemployment7.1%
- Bachelor's+20.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Indianapolis
882,043
Indianapolis +
Lancaster
170,013
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Indianapolis
N/A
Lancaster
N/A
Median Age
Indianapolis
34.1
Indianapolis +
Lancaster
34.2
Foreign Born
Indianapolis
11.6%
Lancaster
13.9%
Lancaster +
White
Indianapolis
53.6%
Indianapolis +
Lancaster
35.5%
Black
Indianapolis
28.1%
Indianapolis +
Lancaster
21.4%
Asian
Indianapolis
4.1%
Indianapolis +
Lancaster
4.0%
Hispanic
Indianapolis
13.3%
Lancaster
45.9%
Lancaster +
Spanish at Home
Indianapolis
N/A
Lancaster
N/A
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 882,043 | 170,013 | Indianapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 34.2 | Indianapolis + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 13.9% | Lancaster + |
| White | 53.6% | 35.5% | Indianapolis + |
| Black | 28.1% | 21.4% | Indianapolis + |
| Asian | 4.1% | 4.0% | Indianapolis + |
| Hispanic | 13.3% | 45.9% | Lancaster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Indianapolis
$62,995
Lancaster
$76,083
Lancaster +
Per Capita Income
Indianapolis
$36,194
Indianapolis +
Lancaster
$29,766
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Indianapolis
$58,697
Lancaster
$77,230
Lancaster +
Unemployment Rate
Indianapolis
5.2%
Indianapolis +
Lancaster
7.1%
Poverty Rate
Indianapolis
15.7%
Lancaster
15.5%
Lancaster +
Bachelor's Degree+
Indianapolis
34.2%
Indianapolis +
Lancaster
20.1%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,995 | $76,083 | Lancaster + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,194 | $29,766 | Indianapolis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $77,230 | Lancaster + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 7.1% | Indianapolis + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% | 15.5% | Lancaster + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.2% | 20.1% | Indianapolis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Indianapolis
$232,133
Indianapolis +
Lancaster
$466,147
Homeownership Rate
Indianapolis
55.3%
Lancaster
58.4%
Lancaster +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $232,133 | $466,147 | Indianapolis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.3% | 58.4% | Lancaster + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
370
Indianapolis +
Lancaster
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
1719
Indianapolis +
Lancaster
2388
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 503 | Indianapolis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 2388 | Indianapolis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Lancaster
30.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Lancaster
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Indianapolis
N/A
Lancaster
19.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Lancaster
12.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Lancaster
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Lancaster
14.0%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 30.6% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.6% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 19.3% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.9% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.8% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.0% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Indianapolis
N/A
Lancaster
62.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Indianapolis
41.8 in
Lancaster
7.4 in
Lancaster +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 62.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.8 in | 7.4 in | Lancaster + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
10.1 µg/m³
Lancaster
7.9 µg/m³
Lancaster +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Indianapolis
55.0%
Lancaster
75.0%
Lancaster +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Lancaster + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lancaster + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Indianapolis
25.8 min
Indianapolis +
Lancaster
33.0 min
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 33.0 min | Indianapolis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lancaster leads in median household income at $76,083, 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 503 in Lancaster. Indianapolis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Lancaster has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³).
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