Indianapolis IN vs Las Vegas NV — 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%
Las Vegas, NV
Nevada · Population: 650,873
- Median HH Income$70,723
- Median Home Price$426,069
- Unemployment7.2%
- Bachelor's+27.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Indianapolis
882,043
Indianapolis +
Las Vegas
650,873
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Indianapolis
N/A
Las Vegas
N/A
Median Age
Indianapolis
34.1
Indianapolis +
Las Vegas
38.5
Foreign Born
Indianapolis
11.6%
Las Vegas
20.9%
Las Vegas +
White
Indianapolis
53.6%
Indianapolis +
Las Vegas
49.2%
Black
Indianapolis
28.1%
Indianapolis +
Las Vegas
11.9%
Asian
Indianapolis
4.1%
Las Vegas
6.9%
Las Vegas +
Hispanic
Indianapolis
13.3%
Las Vegas
34.1%
Las Vegas +
Spanish at Home
Indianapolis
N/A
Las Vegas
N/A
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 882,043 | 650,873 | Indianapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 38.5 | Indianapolis + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 20.9% | Las Vegas + |
| White | 53.6% | 49.2% | Indianapolis + |
| Black | 28.1% | 11.9% | Indianapolis + |
| Asian | 4.1% | 6.9% | Las Vegas + |
| Hispanic | 13.3% | 34.1% | Las Vegas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Indianapolis
$62,995
Las Vegas
$70,723
Las Vegas +
Per Capita Income
Indianapolis
$36,194
Las Vegas
$38,421
Las Vegas +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Indianapolis
$58,697
Las Vegas
$62,696
Las Vegas +
Unemployment Rate
Indianapolis
5.2%
Indianapolis +
Las Vegas
7.2%
Poverty Rate
Indianapolis
15.7%
Las Vegas
14.2%
Las Vegas +
Bachelor's Degree+
Indianapolis
34.2%
Indianapolis +
Las Vegas
27.3%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,995 | $70,723 | Las Vegas + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,194 | $38,421 | Las Vegas + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $62,696 | Las Vegas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 7.2% | Indianapolis + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% | 14.2% | Las Vegas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.2% | 27.3% | Indianapolis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Indianapolis
$232,133
Indianapolis +
Las Vegas
$426,069
Homeownership Rate
Indianapolis
55.3%
Las Vegas
55.7%
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $232,133 | $426,069 | Indianapolis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.3% | 55.7% | Las Vegas + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
370
Indianapolis +
Las Vegas
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
1719
Indianapolis +
Las Vegas
2417
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 460 | Indianapolis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 2417 | Indianapolis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Las Vegas
32.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Las Vegas
12.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Indianapolis
N/A
Las Vegas
19.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Las Vegas
17.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Las Vegas
15.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Las Vegas
15.6%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 32.4% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.5% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 19.5% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.0% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.4% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.6% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Indianapolis
N/A
Las Vegas
67.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Indianapolis
41.8 in
Las Vegas
5.1 in
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 67.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.8 in | 5.1 in | Las Vegas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
10.1 µg/m³
Las Vegas
5.2 µg/m³
Las Vegas +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Indianapolis
55.0%
Las Vegas
75.0%
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Las Vegas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Las Vegas + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Indianapolis
25.8 min
Indianapolis +
Las Vegas
27.7 min
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 27.7 min | Indianapolis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Las Vegas leads in median household income at $70,723, 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 460 in Las Vegas. Indianapolis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Las Vegas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³).
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