Indianapolis IN vs Newark NJ — 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%
Newark, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 307,188
- Median HH Income$48,416
- Median Home Price$482,675
- Unemployment10.9%
- Bachelor's+17.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Indianapolis
882,043
Indianapolis +
Newark
307,188
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Indianapolis
N/A
Newark
N/A
Median Age
Indianapolis
34.1
Indianapolis +
Newark
34.8
Foreign Born
Indianapolis
11.6%
Newark
34.9%
Newark +
White
Indianapolis
53.6%
Indianapolis +
Newark
16.5%
Black
Indianapolis
28.1%
Newark
46.7%
Newark +
Asian
Indianapolis
4.1%
Indianapolis +
Newark
1.9%
Hispanic
Indianapolis
13.3%
Newark
37.2%
Newark +
Spanish at Home
Indianapolis
N/A
Newark
N/A
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 882,043 | 307,188 | Indianapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 34.8 | Indianapolis + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 34.9% | Newark + |
| White | 53.6% | 16.5% | Indianapolis + |
| Black | 28.1% | 46.7% | Newark + |
| Asian | 4.1% | 1.9% | Indianapolis + |
| Hispanic | 13.3% | 37.2% | Newark + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Indianapolis
$62,995
Indianapolis +
Newark
$48,416
Per Capita Income
Indianapolis
$36,194
Indianapolis +
Newark
$25,509
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Indianapolis
$58,697
Newark
$77,416
Newark +
Unemployment Rate
Indianapolis
5.2%
Indianapolis +
Newark
10.9%
Poverty Rate
Indianapolis
15.7%
Indianapolis +
Newark
24.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Indianapolis
34.2%
Indianapolis +
Newark
17.4%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,995 | $48,416 | Indianapolis + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,194 | $25,509 | Indianapolis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $77,416 | Newark + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 10.9% | Indianapolis + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% | 24.7% | Indianapolis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.2% | 17.4% | Indianapolis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Indianapolis
$232,133
Indianapolis +
Newark
$482,675
Homeownership Rate
Indianapolis
55.3%
Indianapolis +
Newark
24.1%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $232,133 | $482,675 | Indianapolis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.3% | 24.1% | Indianapolis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
370
Newark
218
Newark +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
1719
Newark
1426
Newark +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 218 | Newark + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1426 | Newark + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Newark
35.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Newark
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Indianapolis
N/A
Newark
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Newark
23.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Newark
14.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Newark
18.2%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 35.9% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.6% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 20.0% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 23.4% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.3% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 18.2% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Indianapolis
N/A
Newark
54.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Indianapolis
41.8 in
Indianapolis +
Newark
46.3 in
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 54.9°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.8 in | 46.3 in | Indianapolis + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
10.1 µg/m³
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Newark +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Indianapolis
55.0%
Newark
75.0%
Newark +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Newark + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Newark + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Indianapolis
25.8 min
Indianapolis +
Newark
35.9 min
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 35.9 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, Newark is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in Indianapolis. Indianapolis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Newark has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³).
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