Indianapolis IN vs Westland MI — 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%
Westland, MI
Michigan · Population: 84,155
- Median HH Income$62,216
- Median Home Price$215,089
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+21.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Indianapolis
882,043
Indianapolis +
Westland
84,155
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Indianapolis
N/A
Westland
N/A
Median Age
Indianapolis
34.1
Indianapolis +
Westland
38.2
Foreign Born
Indianapolis
11.6%
Indianapolis +
Westland
9.2%
White
Indianapolis
53.6%
Westland
63.7%
Westland +
Black
Indianapolis
28.1%
Indianapolis +
Westland
22.6%
Asian
Indianapolis
4.1%
Indianapolis +
Westland
3.8%
Hispanic
Indianapolis
13.3%
Indianapolis +
Westland
5.0%
Spanish at Home
Indianapolis
N/A
Westland
N/A
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 882,043 | 84,155 | Indianapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 38.2 | Indianapolis + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 9.2% | Indianapolis + |
| White | 53.6% | 63.7% | Westland + |
| Black | 28.1% | 22.6% | Indianapolis + |
| Asian | 4.1% | 3.8% | Indianapolis + |
| Hispanic | 13.3% | 5.0% | Indianapolis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Indianapolis
$62,995
Indianapolis +
Westland
$62,216
Per Capita Income
Indianapolis
$36,194
Indianapolis +
Westland
$33,816
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Indianapolis
$58,697
Indianapolis +
Westland
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Indianapolis
5.2%
Indianapolis +
Westland
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Indianapolis
15.7%
Westland
13.3%
Westland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Indianapolis
34.2%
Indianapolis +
Westland
21.7%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,995 | $62,216 | Indianapolis + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,194 | $33,816 | Indianapolis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $58,052 | Indianapolis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 5.3% | Indianapolis + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% | 13.3% | Westland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.2% | 21.7% | Indianapolis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Indianapolis
$232,133
Westland
$215,089
Westland +
Homeownership Rate
Indianapolis
55.3%
Westland
61.1%
Westland +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $232,133 | $215,089 | Westland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.3% | 61.1% | Westland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
370
Indianapolis +
Westland
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
1719
Westland
1590
Westland +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 471 | Indianapolis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1590 | Westland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Westland
34.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Westland
12.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Indianapolis
N/A
Westland
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Westland
7.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Westland
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Westland
16.6%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 34.7% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.3% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 20.0% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 7.3% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.6% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.6% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Indianapolis
N/A
Westland
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Indianapolis
41.8 in
Westland
N/A
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
10.1 µg/m³
Indianapolis +
Westland
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Indianapolis
55.0%
Westland
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Indianapolis + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Indianapolis
25.8 min
Indianapolis +
Westland
27.0 min
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 27.0 min | Indianapolis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Indianapolis leads in median household income at $62,995, while westland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $215,089. On public safety, Indianapolis is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Westland. Indianapolis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Indianapolis has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 10.1 µg/m³).
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