Indianapolis IN vs Tempe AZ — 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%
Tempe, AZ
Arizona · Population: 186,419
- Median HH Income$77,643
- Median Home Price$468,328
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+49.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Indianapolis
882,043
Indianapolis +
Tempe
186,419
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Indianapolis
N/A
Tempe
N/A
Median Age
Indianapolis
34.1
Tempe
29.9
Tempe +
Foreign Born
Indianapolis
11.6%
Tempe
13.9%
Tempe +
White
Indianapolis
53.6%
Tempe
60.1%
Tempe +
Black
Indianapolis
28.1%
Indianapolis +
Tempe
7.8%
Asian
Indianapolis
4.1%
Tempe
9.5%
Tempe +
Hispanic
Indianapolis
13.3%
Tempe
23.1%
Tempe +
Spanish at Home
Indianapolis
N/A
Tempe
N/A
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 882,043 | 186,419 | Indianapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 29.9 | Tempe + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 13.9% | Tempe + |
| White | 53.6% | 60.1% | Tempe + |
| Black | 28.1% | 7.8% | Indianapolis + |
| Asian | 4.1% | 9.5% | Tempe + |
| Hispanic | 13.3% | 23.1% | Tempe + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Indianapolis
$62,995
Tempe
$77,643
Tempe +
Per Capita Income
Indianapolis
$36,194
Tempe
$42,371
Tempe +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Indianapolis
$58,697
Tempe
$59,120
Tempe +
Unemployment Rate
Indianapolis
5.2%
Indianapolis +
Tempe
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Indianapolis
15.7%
Indianapolis +
Tempe
16.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Indianapolis
34.2%
Tempe
49.5%
Tempe +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,995 | $77,643 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,194 | $42,371 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $59,120 | Tempe + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 5.7% | Indianapolis + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% | 16.2% | Indianapolis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.2% | 49.5% | Tempe + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Indianapolis
$232,133
Indianapolis +
Tempe
$468,328
Homeownership Rate
Indianapolis
55.3%
Indianapolis +
Tempe
41.6%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $232,133 | $468,328 | Indianapolis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.3% | 41.6% | Indianapolis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
370
Indianapolis +
Tempe
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
1719
Indianapolis +
Tempe
2150
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 450 | Indianapolis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 2150 | Indianapolis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Tempe
27.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Tempe
7.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Indianapolis
N/A
Tempe
16.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Tempe
10.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Tempe
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Tempe
9.1%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 27.2% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 7.2% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 16.6% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.7% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 18.3% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.1% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Indianapolis
N/A
Tempe
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Indianapolis
41.8 in
Tempe
9.3 in
Tempe +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 71.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.8 in | 9.3 in | Tempe + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
10.1 µg/m³
Tempe
7.1 µg/m³
Tempe +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Indianapolis
55.0%
Tempe
75.0%
Tempe +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tempe + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tempe + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Indianapolis
25.8 min
Tempe
23.2 min
Tempe +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 23.2 min | Tempe + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tempe leads in median household income at $77,643, 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 450 in Tempe. Indianapolis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Tempe has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³).
Compare More Cities
Indianapolis, IN vs New York, NYIndianapolis, IN vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Indianapolis, INHouston, TX vs Indianapolis, INIndianapolis, IN vs Phoenix, AZIndianapolis, IN vs Philadelphia, PA