Indianapolis IN vs Santa Clarita 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%
Santa Clarita, CA
California · Population: 229,021
- Median HH Income$119,926
- Median Home Price$802,780
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+39.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Indianapolis
882,043
Indianapolis +
Santa Clarita
229,021
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Indianapolis
N/A
Santa Clarita
N/A
Median Age
Indianapolis
34.1
Indianapolis +
Santa Clarita
38.1
Foreign Born
Indianapolis
11.6%
Santa Clarita
21.6%
Santa Clarita +
White
Indianapolis
53.6%
Indianapolis +
Santa Clarita
53.1%
Black
Indianapolis
28.1%
Indianapolis +
Santa Clarita
4.4%
Asian
Indianapolis
4.1%
Santa Clarita
11.4%
Santa Clarita +
Hispanic
Indianapolis
13.3%
Santa Clarita
36.0%
Santa Clarita +
Spanish at Home
Indianapolis
N/A
Santa Clarita
N/A
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 882,043 | 229,021 | Indianapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 38.1 | Indianapolis + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 21.6% | Santa Clarita + |
| White | 53.6% | 53.1% | Indianapolis + |
| Black | 28.1% | 4.4% | Indianapolis + |
| Asian | 4.1% | 11.4% | Santa Clarita + |
| Hispanic | 13.3% | 36.0% | Santa Clarita + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Indianapolis
$62,995
Santa Clarita
$119,926
Santa Clarita +
Per Capita Income
Indianapolis
$36,194
Santa Clarita
$49,571
Santa Clarita +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Indianapolis
$58,697
Santa Clarita
$77,230
Santa Clarita +
Unemployment Rate
Indianapolis
5.2%
Indianapolis +
Santa Clarita
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Indianapolis
15.7%
Santa Clarita
7.7%
Santa Clarita +
Bachelor's Degree+
Indianapolis
34.2%
Santa Clarita
39.3%
Santa Clarita +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,995 | $119,926 | Santa Clarita + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,194 | $49,571 | Santa Clarita + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $77,230 | Santa Clarita + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 5.3% | Indianapolis + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% | 7.7% | Santa Clarita + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.2% | 39.3% | Santa Clarita + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Indianapolis
$232,133
Indianapolis +
Santa Clarita
$802,780
Homeownership Rate
Indianapolis
55.3%
Santa Clarita
72.0%
Santa Clarita +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $232,133 | $802,780 | Indianapolis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.3% | 72.0% | Santa Clarita + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
370
Indianapolis +
Santa Clarita
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
1719
Indianapolis +
Santa Clarita
2388
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Santa Clarita, 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
Santa Clarita
24.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Santa Clarita
9.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Indianapolis
N/A
Santa Clarita
16.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Santa Clarita
8.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Santa Clarita
16.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Santa Clarita
9.9%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 24.7% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.8% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 16.0% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.0% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.9% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.9% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Indianapolis
N/A
Santa Clarita
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Indianapolis
41.8 in
Santa Clarita
N/A
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Santa Clarita, 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
Santa Clarita
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Clarita +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Indianapolis
55.0%
Santa Clarita
75.0%
Santa Clarita +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Santa Clarita + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Santa Clarita + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Indianapolis
25.8 min
Indianapolis +
Santa Clarita
37.4 min
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 37.4 min | Indianapolis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Clarita leads in median household income at $119,926, 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 Santa Clarita. Indianapolis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Santa Clarita has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³).
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