Indianapolis IN vs Springfield MA — 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%
Springfield, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 154,751
- Median HH Income$51,339
- Median Home Price$298,985
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+19.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Indianapolis
882,043
Indianapolis +
Springfield
154,751
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Indianapolis
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Indianapolis
34.1
Springfield
33.7
Springfield +
Foreign Born
Indianapolis
11.6%
Indianapolis +
Springfield
10.2%
White
Indianapolis
53.6%
Indianapolis +
Springfield
40.8%
Black
Indianapolis
28.1%
Indianapolis +
Springfield
20.0%
Asian
Indianapolis
4.1%
Indianapolis +
Springfield
2.8%
Hispanic
Indianapolis
13.3%
Springfield
47.4%
Springfield +
Spanish at Home
Indianapolis
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 882,043 | 154,751 | Indianapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 33.7 | Springfield + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 10.2% | Indianapolis + |
| White | 53.6% | 40.8% | Indianapolis + |
| Black | 28.1% | 20.0% | Indianapolis + |
| Asian | 4.1% | 2.8% | Indianapolis + |
| Hispanic | 13.3% | 47.4% | Springfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Indianapolis
$62,995
Indianapolis +
Springfield
$51,339
Per Capita Income
Indianapolis
$36,194
Indianapolis +
Springfield
$27,054
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Indianapolis
$58,697
Springfield
$85,405
Springfield +
Unemployment Rate
Indianapolis
5.2%
Indianapolis +
Springfield
8.2%
Poverty Rate
Indianapolis
15.7%
Indianapolis +
Springfield
25.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Indianapolis
34.2%
Indianapolis +
Springfield
19.7%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,995 | $51,339 | Indianapolis + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,194 | $27,054 | Indianapolis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $85,405 | Springfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 8.2% | Indianapolis + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% | 25.3% | Indianapolis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.2% | 19.7% | Indianapolis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Indianapolis
$232,133
Indianapolis +
Springfield
$298,985
Homeownership Rate
Indianapolis
55.3%
Indianapolis +
Springfield
49.5%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $232,133 | $298,985 | Indianapolis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.3% | 49.5% | Indianapolis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
370
Springfield
326
Springfield +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
1719
Springfield
1086
Springfield +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 326 | Springfield + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1086 | Springfield + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Springfield
39.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Springfield
14.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Indianapolis
N/A
Springfield
21.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Springfield
13.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Springfield
15.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Springfield
17.5%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 39.6% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.8% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 21.1% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.7% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.1% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.5% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Indianapolis
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Indianapolis
41.8 in
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Springfield, MA | 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
Springfield
7.2 µg/m³
Springfield +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Indianapolis
55.0%
Springfield
75.0%
Springfield +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Springfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Springfield + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Indianapolis
25.8 min
Springfield
22.6 min
Springfield +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 22.6 min | Springfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Indianapolis leads in median household income at $62,995, while indianapolis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $232,133. On public safety, Springfield is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in Indianapolis. Indianapolis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Springfield has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³).
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