Indianapolis IN vs Wichita Falls TX — 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%
Wichita Falls, TX
Texas · Population: 102,558
- Median HH Income$58,568
- Median Home Price$174,763
- Unemployment3.5%
- Bachelor's+25.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Indianapolis
882,043
Indianapolis +
Wichita Falls
102,558
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Indianapolis
N/A
Wichita Falls
N/A
Median Age
Indianapolis
34.1
Wichita Falls
33.0
Wichita Falls +
Foreign Born
Indianapolis
11.6%
Indianapolis +
Wichita Falls
7.2%
White
Indianapolis
53.6%
Wichita Falls
70.1%
Wichita Falls +
Black
Indianapolis
28.1%
Indianapolis +
Wichita Falls
12.9%
Asian
Indianapolis
4.1%
Indianapolis +
Wichita Falls
2.7%
Hispanic
Indianapolis
13.3%
Wichita Falls
22.4%
Wichita Falls +
Spanish at Home
Indianapolis
N/A
Wichita Falls
N/A
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 882,043 | 102,558 | Indianapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 33.0 | Wichita Falls + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 7.2% | Indianapolis + |
| White | 53.6% | 70.1% | Wichita Falls + |
| Black | 28.1% | 12.9% | Indianapolis + |
| Asian | 4.1% | 2.7% | Indianapolis + |
| Hispanic | 13.3% | 22.4% | Wichita Falls + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Indianapolis
$62,995
Indianapolis +
Wichita Falls
$58,568
Per Capita Income
Indianapolis
$36,194
Indianapolis +
Wichita Falls
$31,987
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Indianapolis
$58,697
Wichita Falls
$63,758
Wichita Falls +
Unemployment Rate
Indianapolis
5.2%
Wichita Falls
3.5%
Wichita Falls +
Poverty Rate
Indianapolis
15.7%
Indianapolis +
Wichita Falls
17.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Indianapolis
34.2%
Indianapolis +
Wichita Falls
25.0%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,995 | $58,568 | Indianapolis + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,194 | $31,987 | Indianapolis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $63,758 | Wichita Falls + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 3.5% | Wichita Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% | 17.4% | Indianapolis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.2% | 25.0% | Indianapolis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Indianapolis
$232,133
Wichita Falls
$174,763
Wichita Falls +
Homeownership Rate
Indianapolis
55.3%
Wichita Falls
57.0%
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $232,133 | $174,763 | Wichita Falls + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.3% | 57.0% | Wichita Falls + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
370
Indianapolis +
Wichita Falls
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
1719
Indianapolis +
Wichita Falls
2339
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 442 | Indianapolis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 2339 | Indianapolis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Wichita Falls
35.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Wichita Falls
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Indianapolis
N/A
Wichita Falls
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Wichita Falls
16.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Wichita Falls
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Wichita Falls
14.9%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 35.4% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.6% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.8% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.9% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.8% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.9% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Indianapolis
N/A
Wichita Falls
63.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Indianapolis
41.8 in
Wichita Falls
28.9 in
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 63.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.8 in | 28.9 in | Wichita Falls + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
10.1 µg/m³
Wichita Falls
9.2 µg/m³
Wichita Falls +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Indianapolis
55.0%
Wichita Falls
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Wichita Falls + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Indianapolis
25.8 min
Wichita Falls
15.8 min
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 15.8 min | Wichita Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Indianapolis leads in median household income at $62,995, while wichita Falls offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $174,763. On public safety, Indianapolis is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Wichita Falls. Wichita Falls has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Wichita Falls has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³).
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