Indianapolis IN vs Springfield MO — 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, MO
Missouri · Population: 169,432
- Median HH Income$45,984
- Median Home Price$245,279
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+30.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Indianapolis
882,043
Indianapolis +
Springfield
169,432
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Indianapolis
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Indianapolis
34.1
Springfield
33.6
Springfield +
Foreign Born
Indianapolis
11.6%
Indianapolis +
Springfield
3.8%
White
Indianapolis
53.6%
Springfield
85.2%
Springfield +
Black
Indianapolis
28.1%
Indianapolis +
Springfield
4.3%
Asian
Indianapolis
4.1%
Indianapolis +
Springfield
1.7%
Hispanic
Indianapolis
13.3%
Indianapolis +
Springfield
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Indianapolis
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 882,043 | 169,432 | Indianapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 33.6 | Springfield + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 3.8% | Indianapolis + |
| White | 53.6% | 85.2% | Springfield + |
| Black | 28.1% | 4.3% | Indianapolis + |
| Asian | 4.1% | 1.7% | Indianapolis + |
| Hispanic | 13.3% | 5.6% | Indianapolis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Indianapolis
$62,995
Indianapolis +
Springfield
$45,984
Per Capita Income
Indianapolis
$36,194
Indianapolis +
Springfield
$30,864
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Indianapolis
$58,697
Indianapolis +
Springfield
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Indianapolis
5.2%
Springfield
4.3%
Springfield +
Poverty Rate
Indianapolis
15.7%
Indianapolis +
Springfield
19.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Indianapolis
34.2%
Indianapolis +
Springfield
30.3%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,995 | $45,984 | Indianapolis + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,194 | $30,864 | Indianapolis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $58,527 | Indianapolis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 4.3% | Springfield + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% | 19.4% | Indianapolis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.2% | 30.3% | Indianapolis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Indianapolis
$232,133
Indianapolis +
Springfield
$245,279
Homeownership Rate
Indianapolis
55.3%
Indianapolis +
Springfield
42.9%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $232,133 | $245,279 | Indianapolis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.3% | 42.9% | Indianapolis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
370
Indianapolis +
Springfield
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
1719
Indianapolis +
Springfield
2418
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 501 | Indianapolis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 2418 | Indianapolis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Springfield
37.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Springfield
11.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Indianapolis
N/A
Springfield
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Springfield
10.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Springfield
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Springfield
17.1%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 37.7% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.1% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 20.0% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.0% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.6% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.1% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Indianapolis
N/A
Springfield
56.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Indianapolis
41.8 in
Indianapolis +
Springfield
45.6 in
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 56.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.8 in | 45.6 in | Indianapolis + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
10.1 µg/m³
Springfield
9.3 µg/m³
Springfield +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Indianapolis
55.0%
Springfield
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Springfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Indianapolis
25.8 min
Springfield
19.5 min
Springfield +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 19.5 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, Indianapolis is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Springfield. Springfield has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Springfield has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³).
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