Indianapolis IN vs Richmond VA — 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%
Richmond, VA
Virginia · Population: 227,595
- Median HH Income$62,671
- Median Home Price$374,265
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+44.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Indianapolis
882,043
Indianapolis +
Richmond
227,595
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Indianapolis
N/A
Richmond
N/A
Median Age
Indianapolis
34.1
Indianapolis +
Richmond
34.5
Foreign Born
Indianapolis
11.6%
Indianapolis +
Richmond
8.6%
White
Indianapolis
53.6%
Indianapolis +
Richmond
43.2%
Black
Indianapolis
28.1%
Richmond
42.0%
Richmond +
Asian
Indianapolis
4.1%
Indianapolis +
Richmond
2.1%
Hispanic
Indianapolis
13.3%
Indianapolis +
Richmond
10.3%
Spanish at Home
Indianapolis
N/A
Richmond
N/A
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 882,043 | 227,595 | Indianapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 34.5 | Indianapolis + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 8.6% | Indianapolis + |
| White | 53.6% | 43.2% | Indianapolis + |
| Black | 28.1% | 42.0% | Richmond + |
| Asian | 4.1% | 2.1% | Indianapolis + |
| Hispanic | 13.3% | 10.3% | Indianapolis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Indianapolis
$62,995
Indianapolis +
Richmond
$62,671
Per Capita Income
Indianapolis
$36,194
Richmond
$44,249
Richmond +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Indianapolis
$58,697
Richmond
$69,581
Richmond +
Unemployment Rate
Indianapolis
5.2%
Indianapolis +
Richmond
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Indianapolis
15.7%
Indianapolis +
Richmond
18.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Indianapolis
34.2%
Richmond
44.1%
Richmond +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,995 | $62,671 | Indianapolis + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,194 | $44,249 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $69,581 | Richmond + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 6.0% | Indianapolis + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% | 18.8% | Indianapolis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.2% | 44.1% | Richmond + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Indianapolis
$232,133
Indianapolis +
Richmond
$374,265
Homeownership Rate
Indianapolis
55.3%
Indianapolis +
Richmond
43.5%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $232,133 | $374,265 | Indianapolis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.3% | 43.5% | Indianapolis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
370
Richmond
240
Richmond +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
1719
Indianapolis +
Richmond
1726
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 240 | Richmond + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1726 | Indianapolis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Richmond
36.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Richmond
12.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Indianapolis
N/A
Richmond
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Richmond
10.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Richmond
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Richmond
13.9%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 36.7% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.3% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.8% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.7% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.2% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.9% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Indianapolis
N/A
Richmond
58.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Indianapolis
41.8 in
Indianapolis +
Richmond
43.6 in
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 58.9°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.8 in | 43.6 in | Indianapolis + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
10.1 µg/m³
Richmond
8.2 µg/m³
Richmond +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Indianapolis
55.0%
Richmond
75.0%
Richmond +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Richmond + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Richmond + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Indianapolis
25.8 min
Richmond
23.6 min
Richmond +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 23.6 min | Richmond + |
Which City is Right for You?
Indianapolis leads in median household income at $62,995, while indianapolis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $232,133. On public safety, Richmond is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in Indianapolis. Indianapolis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Richmond has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³).
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