Indianapolis IN vs Norwalk CA — 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%
Norwalk, CA
California · Population: 100,713
- Median HH Income$98,709
- Median Home Price$765,319
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+21.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Indianapolis
882,043
Indianapolis +
Norwalk
100,713
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Indianapolis
N/A
Norwalk
N/A
Median Age
Indianapolis
34.1
Indianapolis +
Norwalk
36.5
Foreign Born
Indianapolis
11.6%
Norwalk
32.6%
Norwalk +
White
Indianapolis
53.6%
Indianapolis +
Norwalk
24.0%
Black
Indianapolis
28.1%
Indianapolis +
Norwalk
4.2%
Asian
Indianapolis
4.1%
Norwalk
13.8%
Norwalk +
Hispanic
Indianapolis
13.3%
Norwalk
69.5%
Norwalk +
Spanish at Home
Indianapolis
N/A
Norwalk
N/A
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 882,043 | 100,713 | Indianapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 36.5 | Indianapolis + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 32.6% | Norwalk + |
| White | 53.6% | 24.0% | Indianapolis + |
| Black | 28.1% | 4.2% | Indianapolis + |
| Asian | 4.1% | 13.8% | Norwalk + |
| Hispanic | 13.3% | 69.5% | Norwalk + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Indianapolis
$62,995
Norwalk
$98,709
Norwalk +
Per Capita Income
Indianapolis
$36,194
Indianapolis +
Norwalk
$31,989
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Indianapolis
$58,697
Norwalk
$77,230
Norwalk +
Unemployment Rate
Indianapolis
5.2%
Indianapolis +
Norwalk
5.6%
Poverty Rate
Indianapolis
15.7%
Norwalk
9.7%
Norwalk +
Bachelor's Degree+
Indianapolis
34.2%
Indianapolis +
Norwalk
21.3%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,995 | $98,709 | Norwalk + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,194 | $31,989 | Indianapolis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $77,230 | Norwalk + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 5.6% | Indianapolis + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% | 9.7% | Norwalk + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.2% | 21.3% | Indianapolis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Indianapolis
$232,133
Indianapolis +
Norwalk
$765,319
Homeownership Rate
Indianapolis
55.3%
Norwalk
68.1%
Norwalk +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $232,133 | $765,319 | Indianapolis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.3% | 68.1% | Norwalk + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
370
Indianapolis +
Norwalk
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
1719
Indianapolis +
Norwalk
2388
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 503 | Indianapolis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 2388 | Indianapolis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Norwalk
26.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Norwalk
12.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Indianapolis
N/A
Norwalk
16.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Norwalk
15.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Norwalk
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Norwalk
10.5%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 26.9% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.7% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 16.1% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.4% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.3% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.5% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Indianapolis
N/A
Norwalk
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Indianapolis
41.8 in
Norwalk
N/A
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
10.1 µg/m³
Norwalk
7.9 µg/m³
Norwalk +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Indianapolis
55.0%
Norwalk
75.0%
Norwalk +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Norwalk + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Norwalk + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Indianapolis
25.8 min
Indianapolis +
Norwalk
32.1 min
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 32.1 min | Indianapolis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norwalk leads in median household income at $98,709, 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 503 in Norwalk. Indianapolis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Norwalk has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³).
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