Indianapolis IN vs Pittsburgh PA — 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%
Pittsburgh, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 303,620
- Median HH Income$64,137
- Median Home Price$240,538
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+47.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Indianapolis
882,043
Indianapolis +
Pittsburgh
303,620
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Indianapolis
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
Median Age
Indianapolis
34.1
Pittsburgh
33.5
Pittsburgh +
Foreign Born
Indianapolis
11.6%
Indianapolis +
Pittsburgh
9.3%
White
Indianapolis
53.6%
Pittsburgh
63.7%
Pittsburgh +
Black
Indianapolis
28.1%
Indianapolis +
Pittsburgh
22.5%
Asian
Indianapolis
4.1%
Pittsburgh
5.8%
Pittsburgh +
Hispanic
Indianapolis
13.3%
Indianapolis +
Pittsburgh
4.2%
Spanish at Home
Indianapolis
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 882,043 | 303,620 | Indianapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 33.5 | Pittsburgh + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 9.3% | Indianapolis + |
| White | 53.6% | 63.7% | Pittsburgh + |
| Black | 28.1% | 22.5% | Indianapolis + |
| Asian | 4.1% | 5.8% | Pittsburgh + |
| Hispanic | 13.3% | 4.2% | Indianapolis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Indianapolis
$62,995
Pittsburgh
$64,137
Pittsburgh +
Per Capita Income
Indianapolis
$36,194
Pittsburgh
$43,590
Pittsburgh +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Indianapolis
$58,697
Pittsburgh
$65,080
Pittsburgh +
Unemployment Rate
Indianapolis
5.2%
Indianapolis +
Pittsburgh
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Indianapolis
15.7%
Indianapolis +
Pittsburgh
19.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Indianapolis
34.2%
Pittsburgh
47.8%
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,995 | $64,137 | Pittsburgh + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,194 | $43,590 | Pittsburgh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $65,080 | Pittsburgh + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 5.9% | Indianapolis + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% | 19.5% | Indianapolis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.2% | 47.8% | Pittsburgh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Indianapolis
$232,133
Indianapolis +
Pittsburgh
$240,538
Homeownership Rate
Indianapolis
55.3%
Indianapolis +
Pittsburgh
47.2%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $232,133 | $240,538 | Indianapolis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.3% | 47.2% | Indianapolis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
370
Pittsburgh
319
Pittsburgh +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
1719
Pittsburgh
1613
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 319 | Pittsburgh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1613 | Pittsburgh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Indianapolis
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Indianapolis
N/A
Pittsburgh
51.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Indianapolis
41.8 in
Pittsburgh
39.3 in
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 51.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.8 in | 39.3 in | Pittsburgh + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
10.1 µg/m³
Pittsburgh
9.8 µg/m³
Pittsburgh +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Indianapolis
55.0%
Pittsburgh
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Pittsburgh + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Indianapolis
25.8 min
Pittsburgh
25.0 min
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 25.0 min | Pittsburgh + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pittsburgh leads in median household income at $64,137, while indianapolis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $232,133. On public safety, Pittsburgh is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in Indianapolis. Indianapolis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Pittsburgh has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.8 µg/m³).
Compare More Cities
Indianapolis, IN vs New York, NYIndianapolis, IN vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Indianapolis, INHouston, TX vs Indianapolis, INIndianapolis, IN vs Phoenix, AZIndianapolis, IN vs Philadelphia, PA