Indianapolis IN vs Stamford CT — 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%
Stamford, CT
Connecticut · Population: 135,806
- Median HH Income$107,474
- Median Home Price$708,498
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Indianapolis
882,043
Indianapolis +
Stamford
135,806
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Indianapolis
N/A
Stamford
N/A
Median Age
Indianapolis
34.1
Indianapolis +
Stamford
38.2
Foreign Born
Indianapolis
11.6%
Stamford
31.8%
Stamford +
White
Indianapolis
53.6%
Indianapolis +
Stamford
49.1%
Black
Indianapolis
28.1%
Indianapolis +
Stamford
19.9%
Asian
Indianapolis
4.1%
Stamford
7.1%
Stamford +
Hispanic
Indianapolis
13.3%
Stamford
28.1%
Stamford +
Spanish at Home
Indianapolis
N/A
Stamford
N/A
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 882,043 | 135,806 | Indianapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 38.2 | Indianapolis + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 31.8% | Stamford + |
| White | 53.6% | 49.1% | Indianapolis + |
| Black | 28.1% | 19.9% | Indianapolis + |
| Asian | 4.1% | 7.1% | Stamford + |
| Hispanic | 13.3% | 28.1% | Stamford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Indianapolis
$62,995
Stamford
$107,474
Stamford +
Per Capita Income
Indianapolis
$36,194
Stamford
$64,382
Stamford +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Indianapolis
$58,697
Stamford
$85,393
Stamford +
Unemployment Rate
Indianapolis
5.2%
Stamford
4.9%
Stamford +
Poverty Rate
Indianapolis
15.7%
Stamford
9.5%
Stamford +
Bachelor's Degree+
Indianapolis
34.2%
Stamford
51.7%
Stamford +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,995 | $107,474 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,194 | $64,382 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $85,393 | Stamford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 4.9% | Stamford + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% | 9.5% | Stamford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.2% | 51.7% | Stamford + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Indianapolis
$232,133
Indianapolis +
Stamford
$708,498
Homeownership Rate
Indianapolis
55.3%
Indianapolis +
Stamford
47.5%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $232,133 | $708,498 | Indianapolis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.3% | 47.5% | Indianapolis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
370
Stamford
156
Stamford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
1719
Stamford
1524
Stamford +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 156 | Stamford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1524 | Stamford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Stamford
25.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Stamford
8.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Indianapolis
N/A
Stamford
14.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Stamford
12.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Stamford
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Stamford
8.7%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 25.5% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.6% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 14.4% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.3% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.4% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.7% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Indianapolis
N/A
Stamford
52.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Indianapolis
41.8 in
Indianapolis +
Stamford
53.2 in
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 52.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.8 in | 53.2 in | Indianapolis + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
10.1 µg/m³
Stamford
7.7 µg/m³
Stamford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Indianapolis
55.0%
Stamford
75.0%
Stamford +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Stamford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Stamford + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Indianapolis
25.8 min
Indianapolis +
Stamford
30.1 min
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 30.1 min | Indianapolis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Stamford leads in median household income at $107,474, while indianapolis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $232,133. On public safety, Stamford is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in Indianapolis. Stamford has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Stamford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³).
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