Indianapolis IN vs Phoenix AZ — 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%
Phoenix, AZ
Arizona · Population: 1,624,832
- Median HH Income$77,041
- Median Home Price$411,323
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Indianapolis
882,043
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Indianapolis
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
Median Age
Indianapolis
34.1
Indianapolis +
Phoenix
34.8
Foreign Born
Indianapolis
11.6%
Phoenix
19.0%
Phoenix +
White
Indianapolis
53.6%
Phoenix
53.7%
Phoenix +
Black
Indianapolis
28.1%
Indianapolis +
Phoenix
7.8%
Asian
Indianapolis
4.1%
Indianapolis +
Phoenix
3.9%
Hispanic
Indianapolis
13.3%
Phoenix
41.8%
Phoenix +
Spanish at Home
Indianapolis
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 882,043 | 1,624,832 | Phoenix + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 34.8 | Indianapolis + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 19.0% | Phoenix + |
| White | 53.6% | 53.7% | Phoenix + |
| Black | 28.1% | 7.8% | Indianapolis + |
| Asian | 4.1% | 3.9% | Indianapolis + |
| Hispanic | 13.3% | 41.8% | Phoenix + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Indianapolis
$62,995
Phoenix
$77,041
Phoenix +
Per Capita Income
Indianapolis
$36,194
Phoenix
$40,309
Phoenix +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Indianapolis
$58,697
Phoenix
$59,120
Phoenix +
Unemployment Rate
Indianapolis
5.2%
Phoenix
5.1%
Phoenix +
Poverty Rate
Indianapolis
15.7%
Phoenix
14.3%
Phoenix +
Bachelor's Degree+
Indianapolis
34.2%
Indianapolis +
Phoenix
32.3%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,995 | $77,041 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,194 | $40,309 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $59,120 | Phoenix + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 5.1% | Phoenix + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% | 14.3% | Phoenix + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.2% | 32.3% | Indianapolis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Indianapolis
$232,133
Indianapolis +
Phoenix
$411,323
Homeownership Rate
Indianapolis
55.3%
Phoenix
57.1%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $232,133 | $411,323 | Indianapolis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.3% | 57.1% | Phoenix + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
370
Indianapolis +
Phoenix
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
1719
Indianapolis +
Phoenix
2150
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 450 | Indianapolis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 2150 | Indianapolis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Phoenix
32.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Phoenix
10.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Indianapolis
N/A
Phoenix
16.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Phoenix
17.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Phoenix
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Phoenix
12.2%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 32.3% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.8% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 16.2% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.3% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.3% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.2% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Indianapolis
N/A
Phoenix
72.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Indianapolis
41.8 in
Phoenix
10.8 in
Phoenix +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 72.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.8 in | 10.8 in | Phoenix + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
10.1 µg/m³
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Phoenix +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Indianapolis
55.0%
Phoenix
75.0%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Phoenix + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Phoenix + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Indianapolis
25.8 min
Indianapolis +
Phoenix
27.7 min
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 27.7 min | Indianapolis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Phoenix leads in median household income at $77,041, 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 450 in Phoenix. Phoenix has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Phoenix has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³).
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