Indianapolis IN vs Reno NV — 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%
Reno, NV
Nevada · Population: 268,959
- Median HH Income$78,448
- Median Home Price$570,934
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+35.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Indianapolis
882,043
Indianapolis +
Reno
268,959
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Indianapolis
N/A
Reno
N/A
Median Age
Indianapolis
34.1
Indianapolis +
Reno
37.3
Foreign Born
Indianapolis
11.6%
Reno
16.1%
Reno +
White
Indianapolis
53.6%
Reno
63.5%
Reno +
Black
Indianapolis
28.1%
Indianapolis +
Reno
3.2%
Asian
Indianapolis
4.1%
Reno
7.0%
Reno +
Hispanic
Indianapolis
13.3%
Reno
24.6%
Reno +
Spanish at Home
Indianapolis
N/A
Reno
N/A
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 882,043 | 268,959 | Indianapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 37.3 | Indianapolis + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 16.1% | Reno + |
| White | 53.6% | 63.5% | Reno + |
| Black | 28.1% | 3.2% | Indianapolis + |
| Asian | 4.1% | 7.0% | Reno + |
| Hispanic | 13.3% | 24.6% | Reno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Indianapolis
$62,995
Reno
$78,448
Reno +
Per Capita Income
Indianapolis
$36,194
Reno
$45,180
Reno +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Indianapolis
$58,697
Reno
$62,696
Reno +
Unemployment Rate
Indianapolis
5.2%
Reno
5.0%
Reno +
Poverty Rate
Indianapolis
15.7%
Reno
12.5%
Reno +
Bachelor's Degree+
Indianapolis
34.2%
Reno
35.7%
Reno +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,995 | $78,448 | Reno + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,194 | $45,180 | Reno + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $62,696 | Reno + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 5.0% | Reno + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% | 12.5% | Reno + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.2% | 35.7% | Reno + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Indianapolis
$232,133
Indianapolis +
Reno
$570,934
Homeownership Rate
Indianapolis
55.3%
Indianapolis +
Reno
49.4%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $232,133 | $570,934 | Indianapolis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.3% | 49.4% | Indianapolis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
370
Indianapolis +
Reno
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
1719
Indianapolis +
Reno
2417
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 460 | Indianapolis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 2417 | Indianapolis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Reno
28.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Reno
9.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Indianapolis
N/A
Reno
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Reno
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Reno
18.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Reno
12.8%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 28.4% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.5% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.5% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.0% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 18.9% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.8% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Indianapolis
N/A
Reno
53.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Indianapolis
41.8 in
Reno
8.3 in
Reno +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 53.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.8 in | 8.3 in | Reno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
10.1 µg/m³
Reno
5.2 µg/m³
Reno +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Indianapolis
55.0%
Reno
75.0%
Reno +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Reno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Reno + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Indianapolis
25.8 min
Reno
22.3 min
Reno +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 22.3 min | Reno + |
Which City is Right for You?
Reno leads in median household income at $78,448, 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 460 in Reno. Reno has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Reno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 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