Indianapolis IN vs Rochester NY — 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%
Rochester, NY
New York · Population: 209,720
- Median HH Income$46,628
- Median Home Price$241,627
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Indianapolis
882,043
Indianapolis +
Rochester
209,720
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Indianapolis
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Indianapolis
34.1
Rochester
33.5
Rochester +
Foreign Born
Indianapolis
11.6%
Indianapolis +
Rochester
8.3%
White
Indianapolis
53.6%
Indianapolis +
Rochester
41.5%
Black
Indianapolis
28.1%
Rochester
37.5%
Rochester +
Asian
Indianapolis
4.1%
Indianapolis +
Rochester
3.2%
Hispanic
Indianapolis
13.3%
Rochester
20.0%
Rochester +
Spanish at Home
Indianapolis
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 882,043 | 209,720 | Indianapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 33.5 | Rochester + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 8.3% | Indianapolis + |
| White | 53.6% | 41.5% | Indianapolis + |
| Black | 28.1% | 37.5% | Rochester + |
| Asian | 4.1% | 3.2% | Indianapolis + |
| Hispanic | 13.3% | 20.0% | Rochester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Indianapolis
$62,995
Indianapolis +
Rochester
$46,628
Per Capita Income
Indianapolis
$36,194
Indianapolis +
Rochester
$30,451
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Indianapolis
$58,697
Rochester
$77,425
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Indianapolis
5.2%
Indianapolis +
Rochester
7.9%
Poverty Rate
Indianapolis
15.7%
Indianapolis +
Rochester
26.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Indianapolis
34.2%
Indianapolis +
Rochester
29.9%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,995 | $46,628 | Indianapolis + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,194 | $30,451 | Indianapolis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $77,425 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 7.9% | Indianapolis + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% | 26.6% | Indianapolis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.2% | 29.9% | Indianapolis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Indianapolis
$232,133
Indianapolis +
Rochester
$241,627
Homeownership Rate
Indianapolis
55.3%
Indianapolis +
Rochester
37.2%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $232,133 | $241,627 | Indianapolis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.3% | 37.2% | Indianapolis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
370
Indianapolis +
Rochester
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
1719
Indianapolis +
Rochester
1736
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 434 | Indianapolis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1736 | Indianapolis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Rochester
38.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Rochester
14.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Indianapolis
N/A
Rochester
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Rochester
10.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Rochester
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Rochester
16.6%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 38.0% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.3% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.8% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.9% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.3% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.6% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Indianapolis
N/A
Rochester
48.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Indianapolis
41.8 in
Rochester
34.3 in
Rochester +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 48.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.8 in | 34.3 in | Rochester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
10.1 µg/m³
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Rochester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Indianapolis
55.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Rochester +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Rochester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Rochester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Indianapolis
25.8 min
Rochester
20.6 min
Rochester +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 20.6 min | Rochester + |
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, Indianapolis is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Rochester. Indianapolis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Rochester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³).
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