Indianapolis IN vs San Francisco 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 Francisco, CA
California · Population: 836,321
- Median HH Income$141,446
- Median Home Price$1,369,171
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+60.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Indianapolis
882,043
Indianapolis +
San Francisco
836,321
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Indianapolis
N/A
San Francisco
N/A
Median Age
Indianapolis
34.1
Indianapolis +
San Francisco
39.7
Foreign Born
Indianapolis
11.6%
San Francisco
34.2%
San Francisco +
White
Indianapolis
53.6%
Indianapolis +
San Francisco
40.5%
Black
Indianapolis
28.1%
Indianapolis +
San Francisco
5.1%
Asian
Indianapolis
4.1%
San Francisco
35.0%
San Francisco +
Hispanic
Indianapolis
13.3%
San Francisco
15.9%
San Francisco +
Spanish at Home
Indianapolis
N/A
San Francisco
N/A
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 882,043 | 836,321 | Indianapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 39.7 | Indianapolis + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 34.2% | San Francisco + |
| White | 53.6% | 40.5% | Indianapolis + |
| Black | 28.1% | 5.1% | Indianapolis + |
| Asian | 4.1% | 35.0% | San Francisco + |
| Hispanic | 13.3% | 15.9% | San Francisco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Indianapolis
$62,995
San Francisco
$141,446
San Francisco +
Per Capita Income
Indianapolis
$36,194
San Francisco
$90,285
San Francisco +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Indianapolis
$58,697
San Francisco
$77,230
San Francisco +
Unemployment Rate
Indianapolis
5.2%
Indianapolis +
San Francisco
5.6%
Poverty Rate
Indianapolis
15.7%
San Francisco
10.6%
San Francisco +
Bachelor's Degree+
Indianapolis
34.2%
San Francisco
60.1%
San Francisco +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,995 | $141,446 | San Francisco + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,194 | $90,285 | San Francisco + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $77,230 | San Francisco + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 5.6% | Indianapolis + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% | 10.6% | San Francisco + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.2% | 60.1% | San Francisco + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Indianapolis
$232,133
Indianapolis +
San Francisco
$1,369,171
Homeownership Rate
Indianapolis
55.3%
Indianapolis +
San Francisco
38.5%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $232,133 | $1,369,171 | Indianapolis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.3% | 38.5% | Indianapolis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
370
Indianapolis +
San Francisco
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
1719
Indianapolis +
San Francisco
2388
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | San Francisco, 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 Francisco
17.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
San Francisco
9.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Indianapolis
N/A
San Francisco
14.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
San Francisco
6.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
San Francisco
19.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
San Francisco
9.1%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.5% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.7% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 14.5% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 6.6% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 19.6% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.1% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Indianapolis
N/A
San Francisco
55.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Indianapolis
41.8 in
San Francisco
20.7 in
San Francisco +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 55.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.8 in | 20.7 in | San Francisco + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
10.1 µg/m³
San Francisco
7.9 µg/m³
San Francisco +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Indianapolis
55.0%
San Francisco
75.0%
San Francisco +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | San Francisco + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | San Francisco + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Indianapolis
25.8 min
Indianapolis +
San Francisco
33.9 min
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 33.9 min | Indianapolis + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Francisco leads in median household income at $141,446, 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 Francisco. Indianapolis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and San Francisco has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³).
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