Indianapolis IN vs Manchester NH — 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%
Manchester, NH
New Hampshire · Population: 115,415
- Median HH Income$77,415
- Median Home Price$441,257
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Indianapolis
882,043
Indianapolis +
Manchester
115,415
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Indianapolis
N/A
Manchester
N/A
Median Age
Indianapolis
34.1
Indianapolis +
Manchester
37.9
Foreign Born
Indianapolis
11.6%
Manchester
14.8%
Manchester +
White
Indianapolis
53.6%
Manchester
76.7%
Manchester +
Black
Indianapolis
28.1%
Indianapolis +
Manchester
5.3%
Asian
Indianapolis
4.1%
Manchester
4.6%
Manchester +
Hispanic
Indianapolis
13.3%
Manchester
13.5%
Manchester +
Spanish at Home
Indianapolis
N/A
Manchester
N/A
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 882,043 | 115,415 | Indianapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 37.9 | Indianapolis + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 14.8% | Manchester + |
| White | 53.6% | 76.7% | Manchester + |
| Black | 28.1% | 5.3% | Indianapolis + |
| Asian | 4.1% | 4.6% | Manchester + |
| Hispanic | 13.3% | 13.5% | Manchester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Indianapolis
$62,995
Manchester
$77,415
Manchester +
Per Capita Income
Indianapolis
$36,194
Manchester
$44,220
Manchester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Indianapolis
$58,697
Manchester
$75,331
Manchester +
Unemployment Rate
Indianapolis
5.2%
Manchester
3.8%
Manchester +
Poverty Rate
Indianapolis
15.7%
Manchester
10.7%
Manchester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Indianapolis
34.2%
Indianapolis +
Manchester
33.5%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,995 | $77,415 | Manchester + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,194 | $44,220 | Manchester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $75,331 | Manchester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 3.8% | Manchester + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% | 10.7% | Manchester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.2% | 33.5% | Indianapolis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Indianapolis
$232,133
Indianapolis +
Manchester
$441,257
Homeownership Rate
Indianapolis
55.3%
Indianapolis +
Manchester
49.3%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $232,133 | $441,257 | Indianapolis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.3% | 49.3% | Indianapolis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
370
Manchester
134
Manchester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
1719
Manchester
1048
Manchester +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 134 | Manchester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1048 | Manchester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Manchester
35.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Manchester
9.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Indianapolis
N/A
Manchester
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Manchester
9.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Manchester
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Manchester
12.9%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 35.0% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.4% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 17.4% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.9% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.4% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.9% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Indianapolis
N/A
Manchester
49.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Indianapolis
41.8 in
Indianapolis +
Manchester
44.6 in
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 49.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.8 in | 44.6 in | Indianapolis + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
10.1 µg/m³
Manchester
5.9 µg/m³
Manchester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Indianapolis
55.0%
Manchester
75.0%
Manchester +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Manchester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Manchester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Indianapolis
25.8 min
Manchester
25.7 min
Manchester +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 25.7 min | Manchester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Manchester leads in median household income at $77,415, while indianapolis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $232,133. On public safety, Manchester is safer with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in Indianapolis. Manchester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Manchester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³).
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