Indianapolis IN vs Miami FL — 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%
Miami, FL
Florida · Population: 446,663
- Median HH Income$59,390
- Median Home Price$580,996
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+35.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Indianapolis
882,043
Indianapolis +
Miami
446,663
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Indianapolis
N/A
Miami
N/A
Median Age
Indianapolis
34.1
Indianapolis +
Miami
39.7
Foreign Born
Indianapolis
11.6%
Miami
57.7%
Miami +
White
Indianapolis
53.6%
Indianapolis +
Miami
34.2%
Black
Indianapolis
28.1%
Indianapolis +
Miami
13.7%
Asian
Indianapolis
4.1%
Indianapolis +
Miami
1.6%
Hispanic
Indianapolis
13.3%
Miami
71.2%
Miami +
Spanish at Home
Indianapolis
N/A
Miami
N/A
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 882,043 | 446,663 | Indianapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 39.7 | Indianapolis + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 57.7% | Miami + |
| White | 53.6% | 34.2% | Indianapolis + |
| Black | 28.1% | 13.7% | Indianapolis + |
| Asian | 4.1% | 1.6% | Indianapolis + |
| Hispanic | 13.3% | 71.2% | Miami + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Indianapolis
$62,995
Indianapolis +
Miami
$59,390
Per Capita Income
Indianapolis
$36,194
Miami
$42,528
Miami +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Indianapolis
$58,697
Miami
$65,328
Miami +
Unemployment Rate
Indianapolis
5.2%
Miami
5.0%
Miami +
Poverty Rate
Indianapolis
15.7%
Indianapolis +
Miami
19.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Indianapolis
34.2%
Miami
35.6%
Miami +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,995 | $59,390 | Indianapolis + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,194 | $42,528 | Miami + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $65,328 | Miami + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 5.0% | Miami + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% | 19.2% | Indianapolis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.2% | 35.6% | Miami + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Indianapolis
$232,133
Indianapolis +
Miami
$580,996
Homeownership Rate
Indianapolis
55.3%
Indianapolis +
Miami
30.7%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $232,133 | $580,996 | Indianapolis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.3% | 30.7% | Indianapolis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
370
Miami
324
Miami +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
1719
Miami
1453
Miami +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 324 | Miami + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1453 | Miami + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Miami
29.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Miami
15.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Indianapolis
N/A
Miami
15.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Miami
27.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Miami
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Miami
12.3%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 29.9% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.5% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 15.0% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 27.2% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.3% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.3% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Indianapolis
N/A
Miami
75.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Indianapolis
41.8 in
Indianapolis +
Miami
64.1 in
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 75.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.8 in | 64.1 in | Indianapolis + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
10.1 µg/m³
Miami
7.2 µg/m³
Miami +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Indianapolis
55.0%
Miami
75.0%
Miami +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Miami + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Miami + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Indianapolis
25.8 min
Indianapolis +
Miami
29.9 min
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 29.9 min | Indianapolis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Indianapolis leads in median household income at $62,995, while indianapolis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $232,133. On public safety, Miami is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in Indianapolis. Miami has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Miami has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³).
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