Indianapolis IN vs Roanoke 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%
Roanoke, VA
Virginia · Population: 98,677
- Median HH Income$52,671
- Median Home Price$279,668
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Indianapolis
882,043
Indianapolis +
Roanoke
98,677
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Indianapolis
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
Median Age
Indianapolis
34.1
Indianapolis +
Roanoke
38.0
Foreign Born
Indianapolis
11.6%
Indianapolis +
Roanoke
7.5%
White
Indianapolis
53.6%
Roanoke
57.5%
Roanoke +
Black
Indianapolis
28.1%
Roanoke
29.0%
Roanoke +
Asian
Indianapolis
4.1%
Indianapolis +
Roanoke
3.1%
Hispanic
Indianapolis
13.3%
Indianapolis +
Roanoke
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Indianapolis
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 882,043 | 98,677 | Indianapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 38.0 | Indianapolis + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 7.5% | Indianapolis + |
| White | 53.6% | 57.5% | Roanoke + |
| Black | 28.1% | 29.0% | Roanoke + |
| Asian | 4.1% | 3.1% | Indianapolis + |
| Hispanic | 13.3% | 8.6% | Indianapolis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Indianapolis
$62,995
Indianapolis +
Roanoke
$52,671
Per Capita Income
Indianapolis
$36,194
Indianapolis +
Roanoke
$34,792
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Indianapolis
$58,697
Roanoke
$69,581
Roanoke +
Unemployment Rate
Indianapolis
5.2%
Indianapolis +
Roanoke
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Indianapolis
15.7%
Indianapolis +
Roanoke
19.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Indianapolis
34.2%
Indianapolis +
Roanoke
28.9%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,995 | $52,671 | Indianapolis + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,194 | $34,792 | Indianapolis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $69,581 | Roanoke + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 5.5% | Indianapolis + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% | 19.7% | Indianapolis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.2% | 28.9% | Indianapolis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Indianapolis
$232,133
Indianapolis +
Roanoke
$279,668
Homeownership Rate
Indianapolis
55.3%
Indianapolis +
Roanoke
51.7%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $232,133 | $279,668 | Indianapolis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.3% | 51.7% | Indianapolis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
370
Roanoke
240
Roanoke +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
1719
Indianapolis +
Roanoke
1726
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 240 | Roanoke + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1726 | Indianapolis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Roanoke
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Roanoke
14.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Indianapolis
N/A
Roanoke
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Roanoke
11.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Roanoke
14.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Roanoke
16.7%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 41.9% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.9% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.4% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.0% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.7% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.7% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Indianapolis
N/A
Roanoke
56.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Indianapolis
41.8 in
Indianapolis +
Roanoke
44.5 in
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 56.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.8 in | 44.5 in | Indianapolis + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
10.1 µg/m³
Roanoke
8.2 µg/m³
Roanoke +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Indianapolis
55.0%
Roanoke
75.0%
Roanoke +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Roanoke + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Roanoke + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Indianapolis
25.8 min
Roanoke
21.6 min
Roanoke +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 21.6 min | Roanoke + |
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, Roanoke 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 Roanoke has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³).
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