Indianapolis IN vs Raleigh NC — 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%
Raleigh, NC
North Carolina · Population: 470,763
- Median HH Income$82,424
- Median Home Price$435,807
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+52.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Indianapolis
882,043
Indianapolis +
Raleigh
470,763
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Indianapolis
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
Median Age
Indianapolis
34.1
Indianapolis +
Raleigh
34.7
Foreign Born
Indianapolis
11.6%
Raleigh
13.6%
Raleigh +
White
Indianapolis
53.6%
Raleigh
53.8%
Raleigh +
Black
Indianapolis
28.1%
Indianapolis +
Raleigh
27.5%
Asian
Indianapolis
4.1%
Raleigh
4.7%
Raleigh +
Hispanic
Indianapolis
13.3%
Indianapolis +
Raleigh
12.7%
Spanish at Home
Indianapolis
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 882,043 | 470,763 | Indianapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 34.7 | Indianapolis + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 13.6% | Raleigh + |
| White | 53.6% | 53.8% | Raleigh + |
| Black | 28.1% | 27.5% | Indianapolis + |
| Asian | 4.1% | 4.7% | Raleigh + |
| Hispanic | 13.3% | 12.7% | Indianapolis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Indianapolis
$62,995
Raleigh
$82,424
Raleigh +
Per Capita Income
Indianapolis
$36,194
Raleigh
$49,948
Raleigh +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Indianapolis
$58,697
Raleigh
$59,120
Raleigh +
Unemployment Rate
Indianapolis
5.2%
Raleigh
4.5%
Raleigh +
Poverty Rate
Indianapolis
15.7%
Raleigh
11.4%
Raleigh +
Bachelor's Degree+
Indianapolis
34.2%
Raleigh
52.9%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,995 | $82,424 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,194 | $49,948 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $59,120 | Raleigh + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 4.5% | Raleigh + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% | 11.4% | Raleigh + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.2% | 52.9% | Raleigh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Indianapolis
$232,133
Indianapolis +
Raleigh
$435,807
Homeownership Rate
Indianapolis
55.3%
Indianapolis +
Raleigh
51.2%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $232,133 | $435,807 | Indianapolis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.3% | 51.2% | Indianapolis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
370
Indianapolis +
Raleigh
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
1719
Indianapolis +
Raleigh
1999
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 398 | Indianapolis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1999 | Indianapolis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Raleigh
30.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Raleigh
9.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Indianapolis
N/A
Raleigh
16.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Raleigh
9.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Raleigh
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Raleigh
10.5%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 30.9% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.1% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 16.6% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.7% | - |
| 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
Raleigh
61.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Indianapolis
41.8 in
Indianapolis +
Raleigh
46.2 in
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 61.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.8 in | 46.2 in | Indianapolis + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
10.1 µg/m³
Raleigh
8.7 µg/m³
Raleigh +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Indianapolis
55.0%
Raleigh
75.0%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Raleigh + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Raleigh + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Indianapolis
25.8 min
Raleigh
25.1 min
Raleigh +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 25.1 min | Raleigh + |
Which City is Right for You?
Raleigh leads in median household income at $82,424, 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 398 in Raleigh. Raleigh has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Raleigh has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³).
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