Indianapolis IN vs West Palm Beach FL — 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%
West Palm Beach, FL
Florida · Population: 119,508
- Median HH Income$69,261
- Median Home Price$399,650
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+37.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Indianapolis
882,043
Indianapolis +
West Palm Beach
119,508
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Indianapolis
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
Median Age
Indianapolis
34.1
Indianapolis +
West Palm Beach
40.2
Foreign Born
Indianapolis
11.6%
West Palm Beach
27.2%
West Palm Beach +
White
Indianapolis
53.6%
Indianapolis +
West Palm Beach
44.0%
Black
Indianapolis
28.1%
West Palm Beach
31.5%
West Palm Beach +
Asian
Indianapolis
4.1%
Indianapolis +
West Palm Beach
2.5%
Hispanic
Indianapolis
13.3%
West Palm Beach
24.6%
West Palm Beach +
Spanish at Home
Indianapolis
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 882,043 | 119,508 | Indianapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 40.2 | Indianapolis + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 27.2% | West Palm Beach + |
| White | 53.6% | 44.0% | Indianapolis + |
| Black | 28.1% | 31.5% | West Palm Beach + |
| Asian | 4.1% | 2.5% | Indianapolis + |
| Hispanic | 13.3% | 24.6% | West Palm Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Indianapolis
$62,995
West Palm Beach
$69,261
West Palm Beach +
Per Capita Income
Indianapolis
$36,194
West Palm Beach
$44,508
West Palm Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Indianapolis
$58,697
West Palm Beach
$65,328
West Palm Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Indianapolis
5.2%
Indianapolis +
West Palm Beach
5.4%
Poverty Rate
Indianapolis
15.7%
West Palm Beach
14.8%
West Palm Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Indianapolis
34.2%
West Palm Beach
37.6%
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,995 | $69,261 | West Palm Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,194 | $44,508 | West Palm Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $65,328 | West Palm Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 5.4% | Indianapolis + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% | 14.8% | West Palm Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.2% | 37.6% | West Palm Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Indianapolis
$232,133
Indianapolis +
West Palm Beach
$399,650
Homeownership Rate
Indianapolis
55.3%
Indianapolis +
West Palm Beach
50.2%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $232,133 | $399,650 | Indianapolis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.3% | 50.2% | Indianapolis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
370
West Palm Beach
324
West Palm Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
1719
West Palm Beach
1453
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 324 | West Palm Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1453 | West Palm Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
West Palm Beach
29.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
West Palm Beach
13.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Indianapolis
N/A
West Palm Beach
16.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
West Palm Beach
16.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
West Palm Beach
13.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
West Palm Beach
13.0%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 29.1% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.7% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 16.4% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.9% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.3% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.0% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Indianapolis
N/A
West Palm Beach
75.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Indianapolis
41.8 in
Indianapolis +
West Palm Beach
62.3 in
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 75.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.8 in | 62.3 in | Indianapolis + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
10.1 µg/m³
West Palm Beach
7.2 µg/m³
West Palm Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Indianapolis
55.0%
West Palm Beach
75.0%
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | West Palm Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | West Palm Beach + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Indianapolis
25.8 min
West Palm Beach
25.0 min
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 25.0 min | West Palm Beach + |
Which City is Right for You?
West Palm Beach leads in median household income at $69,261, while indianapolis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $232,133. On public safety, West Palm Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in Indianapolis. Indianapolis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and West Palm Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³).
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