Indianapolis IN vs Sacramento CA — 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%
Sacramento, CA
California · Population: 524,802
- Median HH Income$83,753
- Median Home Price$480,548
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+36.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Indianapolis
882,043
Indianapolis +
Sacramento
524,802
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Indianapolis
N/A
Sacramento
N/A
Median Age
Indianapolis
34.1
Indianapolis +
Sacramento
35.7
Foreign Born
Indianapolis
11.6%
Sacramento
21.3%
Sacramento +
White
Indianapolis
53.6%
Indianapolis +
Sacramento
36.8%
Black
Indianapolis
28.1%
Indianapolis +
Sacramento
12.4%
Asian
Indianapolis
4.1%
Sacramento
19.7%
Sacramento +
Hispanic
Indianapolis
13.3%
Sacramento
29.5%
Sacramento +
Spanish at Home
Indianapolis
N/A
Sacramento
N/A
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 882,043 | 524,802 | Indianapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 35.7 | Indianapolis + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 21.3% | Sacramento + |
| White | 53.6% | 36.8% | Indianapolis + |
| Black | 28.1% | 12.4% | Indianapolis + |
| Asian | 4.1% | 19.7% | Sacramento + |
| Hispanic | 13.3% | 29.5% | Sacramento + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Indianapolis
$62,995
Sacramento
$83,753
Sacramento +
Per Capita Income
Indianapolis
$36,194
Sacramento
$42,300
Sacramento +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Indianapolis
$58,697
Sacramento
$77,230
Sacramento +
Unemployment Rate
Indianapolis
5.2%
Indianapolis +
Sacramento
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Indianapolis
15.7%
Sacramento
14.4%
Sacramento +
Bachelor's Degree+
Indianapolis
34.2%
Sacramento
36.4%
Sacramento +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,995 | $83,753 | Sacramento + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,194 | $42,300 | Sacramento + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $77,230 | Sacramento + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 6.2% | Indianapolis + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% | 14.4% | Sacramento + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.2% | 36.4% | Sacramento + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Indianapolis
$232,133
Indianapolis +
Sacramento
$480,548
Homeownership Rate
Indianapolis
55.3%
Indianapolis +
Sacramento
51.5%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $232,133 | $480,548 | Indianapolis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.3% | 51.5% | Indianapolis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
370
Indianapolis +
Sacramento
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
1719
Indianapolis +
Sacramento
2388
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 503 | Indianapolis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 2388 | Indianapolis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Sacramento
30.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Sacramento
11.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Indianapolis
N/A
Sacramento
17.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Sacramento
10.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Sacramento
14.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Sacramento
11.9%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 30.0% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.2% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 17.9% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.0% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.3% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.9% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Indianapolis
N/A
Sacramento
61.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Indianapolis
41.8 in
Sacramento
18.5 in
Sacramento +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 61.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.8 in | 18.5 in | Sacramento + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
10.1 µg/m³
Sacramento
7.9 µg/m³
Sacramento +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Indianapolis
55.0%
Sacramento
75.0%
Sacramento +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Sacramento + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Sacramento + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Indianapolis
25.8 min
Indianapolis +
Sacramento
27.0 min
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 27.0 min | Indianapolis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sacramento leads in median household income at $83,753, 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 503 in Sacramento. Indianapolis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Sacramento has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³).
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