Indianapolis IN vs San Bernardino 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%
San Bernardino, CA
California · Population: 221,774
- Median HH Income$63,988
- Median Home Price$492,059
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+12.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Indianapolis
882,043
Indianapolis +
San Bernardino
221,774
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Indianapolis
N/A
San Bernardino
N/A
Median Age
Indianapolis
34.1
San Bernardino
31.9
San Bernardino +
Foreign Born
Indianapolis
11.6%
San Bernardino
22.9%
San Bernardino +
White
Indianapolis
53.6%
Indianapolis +
San Bernardino
27.6%
Black
Indianapolis
28.1%
Indianapolis +
San Bernardino
11.8%
Asian
Indianapolis
4.1%
Indianapolis +
San Bernardino
4.1%
Hispanic
Indianapolis
13.3%
San Bernardino
69.6%
San Bernardino +
Spanish at Home
Indianapolis
N/A
San Bernardino
N/A
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 882,043 | 221,774 | Indianapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 31.9 | San Bernardino + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 22.9% | San Bernardino + |
| White | 53.6% | 27.6% | Indianapolis + |
| Black | 28.1% | 11.8% | Indianapolis + |
| Asian | 4.1% | 4.1% | Indianapolis + |
| Hispanic | 13.3% | 69.6% | San Bernardino + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Indianapolis
$62,995
San Bernardino
$63,988
San Bernardino +
Per Capita Income
Indianapolis
$36,194
Indianapolis +
San Bernardino
$23,980
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Indianapolis
$58,697
San Bernardino
$77,230
San Bernardino +
Unemployment Rate
Indianapolis
5.2%
Indianapolis +
San Bernardino
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Indianapolis
15.7%
Indianapolis +
San Bernardino
19.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Indianapolis
34.2%
Indianapolis +
San Bernardino
12.8%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,995 | $63,988 | San Bernardino + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,194 | $23,980 | Indianapolis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $77,230 | San Bernardino + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 6.5% | Indianapolis + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% | 19.5% | Indianapolis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.2% | 12.8% | Indianapolis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Indianapolis
$232,133
Indianapolis +
San Bernardino
$492,059
Homeownership Rate
Indianapolis
55.3%
Indianapolis +
San Bernardino
48.5%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $232,133 | $492,059 | Indianapolis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.3% | 48.5% | Indianapolis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
370
Indianapolis +
San Bernardino
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
1719
Indianapolis +
San Bernardino
2388
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | San Bernardino, 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
San Bernardino
37.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
San Bernardino
13.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Indianapolis
N/A
San Bernardino
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
San Bernardino
20.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
San Bernardino
15.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
San Bernardino
15.1%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 37.1% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.6% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 20.0% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 20.2% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.2% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.1% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Indianapolis
N/A
San Bernardino
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Indianapolis
41.8 in
San Bernardino
N/A
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
10.1 µg/m³
San Bernardino
7.9 µg/m³
San Bernardino +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Indianapolis
55.0%
San Bernardino
75.0%
San Bernardino +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | San Bernardino + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | San Bernardino + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Indianapolis
25.8 min
Indianapolis +
San Bernardino
30.7 min
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 30.7 min | Indianapolis + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Bernardino leads in median household income at $63,988, 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 San Bernardino. Indianapolis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and San Bernardino has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³).
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