Indianapolis IN vs Seattle WA — 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%
Seattle, WA
Washington · Population: 741,440
- Median HH Income$121,984
- Median Home Price$871,599
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+67.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Indianapolis
882,043
Indianapolis +
Seattle
741,440
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Indianapolis
N/A
Seattle
N/A
Median Age
Indianapolis
34.1
Indianapolis +
Seattle
35.5
Foreign Born
Indianapolis
11.6%
Seattle
19.9%
Seattle +
White
Indianapolis
53.6%
Seattle
61.8%
Seattle +
Black
Indianapolis
28.1%
Indianapolis +
Seattle
6.6%
Asian
Indianapolis
4.1%
Seattle
17.2%
Seattle +
Hispanic
Indianapolis
13.3%
Indianapolis +
Seattle
8.2%
Spanish at Home
Indianapolis
N/A
Seattle
N/A
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 882,043 | 741,440 | Indianapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 35.5 | Indianapolis + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 19.9% | Seattle + |
| White | 53.6% | 61.8% | Seattle + |
| Black | 28.1% | 6.6% | Indianapolis + |
| Asian | 4.1% | 17.2% | Seattle + |
| Hispanic | 13.3% | 8.2% | Indianapolis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Indianapolis
$62,995
Seattle
$121,984
Seattle +
Per Capita Income
Indianapolis
$36,194
Seattle
$82,508
Seattle +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Indianapolis
$58,697
Seattle
$76,120
Seattle +
Unemployment Rate
Indianapolis
5.2%
Seattle
4.2%
Seattle +
Poverty Rate
Indianapolis
15.7%
Seattle
9.9%
Seattle +
Bachelor's Degree+
Indianapolis
34.2%
Seattle
67.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,995 | $121,984 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,194 | $82,508 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $76,120 | Seattle + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 4.2% | Seattle + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% | 9.9% | Seattle + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.2% | 67.5% | Seattle + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Indianapolis
$232,133
Indianapolis +
Seattle
$871,599
Homeownership Rate
Indianapolis
55.3%
Indianapolis +
Seattle
44.3%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $232,133 | $871,599 | Indianapolis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.3% | 44.3% | Indianapolis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
370
Indianapolis +
Seattle
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
1719
Indianapolis +
Seattle
3409
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 383 | Indianapolis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 3409 | Indianapolis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Seattle
22.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Seattle
6.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Indianapolis
N/A
Seattle
15.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Seattle
6.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Seattle
19.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Seattle
6.5%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 22.2% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 6.1% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 15.3% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 6.1% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 19.0% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 6.5% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Indianapolis
N/A
Seattle
52.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Indianapolis
41.8 in
Seattle
37.5 in
Seattle +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 52.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.8 in | 37.5 in | Seattle + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
10.1 µg/m³
Seattle
7.5 µg/m³
Seattle +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Indianapolis
55.0%
Seattle
75.0%
Seattle +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Seattle + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Seattle + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Indianapolis
25.8 min
Indianapolis +
Seattle
28.8 min
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 28.8 min | Indianapolis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Seattle leads in median household income at $121,984, 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 383 in Seattle. Seattle has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Seattle has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³).
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