Indianapolis IN vs Memphis TN — 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%
Memphis, TN
Tennessee · Population: 629,063
- Median HH Income$51,211
- Median Home Price$147,306
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+28.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Indianapolis
882,043
Indianapolis +
Memphis
629,063
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Indianapolis
N/A
Memphis
N/A
Median Age
Indianapolis
34.1
Indianapolis +
Memphis
34.3
Foreign Born
Indianapolis
11.6%
Indianapolis +
Memphis
7.4%
White
Indianapolis
53.6%
Indianapolis +
Memphis
25.0%
Black
Indianapolis
28.1%
Memphis
62.9%
Memphis +
Asian
Indianapolis
4.1%
Indianapolis +
Memphis
1.7%
Hispanic
Indianapolis
13.3%
Indianapolis +
Memphis
10.2%
Spanish at Home
Indianapolis
N/A
Memphis
N/A
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 882,043 | 629,063 | Indianapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 34.3 | Indianapolis + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 7.4% | Indianapolis + |
| White | 53.6% | 25.0% | Indianapolis + |
| Black | 28.1% | 62.9% | Memphis + |
| Asian | 4.1% | 1.7% | Indianapolis + |
| Hispanic | 13.3% | 10.2% | Indianapolis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Indianapolis
$62,995
Indianapolis +
Memphis
$51,211
Per Capita Income
Indianapolis
$36,194
Indianapolis +
Memphis
$32,314
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Indianapolis
$58,697
Memphis
$59,097
Memphis +
Unemployment Rate
Indianapolis
5.2%
Indianapolis +
Memphis
8.3%
Poverty Rate
Indianapolis
15.7%
Indianapolis +
Memphis
22.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Indianapolis
34.2%
Indianapolis +
Memphis
28.2%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,995 | $51,211 | Indianapolis + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,194 | $32,314 | Indianapolis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $59,097 | Memphis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 8.3% | Indianapolis + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% | 22.5% | Indianapolis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.2% | 28.2% | Indianapolis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Indianapolis
$232,133
Memphis
$147,306
Memphis +
Homeownership Rate
Indianapolis
55.3%
Indianapolis +
Memphis
46.0%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $232,133 | $147,306 | Memphis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.3% | 46.0% | Indianapolis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
370
Indianapolis +
Memphis
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
1719
Indianapolis +
Memphis
2350
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 639 | Indianapolis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 2350 | Indianapolis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Memphis
42.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Memphis
17.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Indianapolis
N/A
Memphis
20.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Memphis
14.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Memphis
13.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Memphis
19.9%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 42.1% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.6% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 20.7% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.9% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.5% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 19.9% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Indianapolis
N/A
Memphis
60.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Indianapolis
41.8 in
Indianapolis +
Memphis
54.9 in
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 60.9°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.8 in | 54.9 in | Indianapolis + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
10.1 µg/m³
Memphis
8.9 µg/m³
Memphis +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Indianapolis
55.0%
Memphis
75.0%
Memphis +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Memphis + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Memphis + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Indianapolis
25.8 min
Memphis
22.9 min
Memphis +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 22.9 min | Memphis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Indianapolis leads in median household income at $62,995, while memphis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $147,306. On public safety, Indianapolis is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Memphis. Indianapolis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Memphis has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³).
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