Indianapolis IN vs Tucson 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%
Tucson, AZ
Arizona · Population: 543,348
- Median HH Income$54,546
- Median Home Price$324,946
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+30.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Indianapolis
882,043
Indianapolis +
Tucson
543,348
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Indianapolis
N/A
Tucson
N/A
Median Age
Indianapolis
34.1
Indianapolis +
Tucson
34.6
Foreign Born
Indianapolis
11.6%
Tucson
13.7%
Tucson +
White
Indianapolis
53.6%
Tucson
58.2%
Tucson +
Black
Indianapolis
28.1%
Indianapolis +
Tucson
5.0%
Asian
Indianapolis
4.1%
Indianapolis +
Tucson
3.1%
Hispanic
Indianapolis
13.3%
Tucson
42.7%
Tucson +
Spanish at Home
Indianapolis
N/A
Tucson
N/A
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 882,043 | 543,348 | Indianapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 34.6 | Indianapolis + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 13.7% | Tucson + |
| White | 53.6% | 58.2% | Tucson + |
| Black | 28.1% | 5.0% | Indianapolis + |
| Asian | 4.1% | 3.1% | Indianapolis + |
| Hispanic | 13.3% | 42.7% | Tucson + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Indianapolis
$62,995
Indianapolis +
Tucson
$54,546
Per Capita Income
Indianapolis
$36,194
Indianapolis +
Tucson
$31,152
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Indianapolis
$58,697
Tucson
$59,120
Tucson +
Unemployment Rate
Indianapolis
5.2%
Indianapolis +
Tucson
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Indianapolis
15.7%
Indianapolis +
Tucson
18.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Indianapolis
34.2%
Indianapolis +
Tucson
30.2%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,995 | $54,546 | Indianapolis + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,194 | $31,152 | Indianapolis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $59,120 | Tucson + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 6.4% | Indianapolis + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% | 18.8% | Indianapolis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.2% | 30.2% | Indianapolis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Indianapolis
$232,133
Indianapolis +
Tucson
$324,946
Homeownership Rate
Indianapolis
55.3%
Indianapolis +
Tucson
51.7%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $232,133 | $324,946 | Indianapolis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.3% | 51.7% | Indianapolis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
370
Indianapolis +
Tucson
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
1719
Indianapolis +
Tucson
2150
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Tucson, 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
Tucson
33.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Tucson
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Indianapolis
N/A
Tucson
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Tucson
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Tucson
14.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Tucson
12.5%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 33.5% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.5% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.3% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.7% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.6% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.5% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Indianapolis
N/A
Tucson
69.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Indianapolis
41.8 in
Tucson
12.2 in
Tucson +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 69.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.8 in | 12.2 in | Tucson + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
10.1 µg/m³
Tucson
7.1 µg/m³
Tucson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Indianapolis
55.0%
Tucson
75.0%
Tucson +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tucson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tucson + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Indianapolis
25.8 min
Tucson
23.9 min
Tucson +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 23.9 min | Tucson + |
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 450 in Tucson. Indianapolis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Tucson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³).
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