Indianapolis IN vs Wilmington DE — 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%
Wilmington, DE
Delaware · Population: 71,124
- Median HH Income$55,269
- Median Home Price$327,117
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+33.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Indianapolis
882,043
Indianapolis +
Wilmington
71,124
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Indianapolis
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Indianapolis
34.1
Indianapolis +
Wilmington
37.0
Foreign Born
Indianapolis
11.6%
Indianapolis +
Wilmington
8.3%
White
Indianapolis
53.6%
Indianapolis +
Wilmington
32.4%
Black
Indianapolis
28.1%
Wilmington
52.3%
Wilmington +
Asian
Indianapolis
4.1%
Indianapolis +
Wilmington
1.6%
Hispanic
Indianapolis
13.3%
Indianapolis +
Wilmington
11.8%
Spanish at Home
Indianapolis
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 882,043 | 71,124 | Indianapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 37.0 | Indianapolis + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 8.3% | Indianapolis + |
| White | 53.6% | 32.4% | Indianapolis + |
| Black | 28.1% | 52.3% | Wilmington + |
| Asian | 4.1% | 1.6% | Indianapolis + |
| Hispanic | 13.3% | 11.8% | Indianapolis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Indianapolis
$62,995
Indianapolis +
Wilmington
$55,269
Per Capita Income
Indianapolis
$36,194
Wilmington
$38,786
Wilmington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Indianapolis
$58,697
Wilmington
$64,087
Wilmington +
Unemployment Rate
Indianapolis
5.2%
Indianapolis +
Wilmington
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Indianapolis
15.7%
Indianapolis +
Wilmington
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Indianapolis
34.2%
Indianapolis +
Wilmington
33.1%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,995 | $55,269 | Indianapolis + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,194 | $38,786 | Wilmington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $64,087 | Wilmington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 7.6% | Indianapolis + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% | 23.2% | Indianapolis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.2% | 33.1% | Indianapolis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Indianapolis
$232,133
Indianapolis +
Wilmington
$327,117
Homeownership Rate
Indianapolis
55.3%
Indianapolis +
Wilmington
46.0%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $232,133 | $327,117 | Indianapolis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.3% | 46.0% | Indianapolis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
370
Indianapolis +
Wilmington
394
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
1719
Indianapolis +
Wilmington
1991
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 394 | Indianapolis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1991 | Indianapolis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Wilmington
41.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Wilmington
16.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Indianapolis
N/A
Wilmington
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Wilmington
12.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Wilmington
13.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Wilmington
16.4%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 41.0% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.0% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.4% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.7% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.5% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.4% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Indianapolis
N/A
Wilmington
54.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Indianapolis
41.8 in
Indianapolis +
Wilmington
49.3 in
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 54.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.8 in | 49.3 in | Indianapolis + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
10.1 µg/m³
Wilmington
8.8 µg/m³
Wilmington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Indianapolis
55.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Wilmington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Wilmington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Indianapolis
25.8 min
Wilmington
25.0 min
Wilmington +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 25.0 min | Wilmington + |
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 394 in Wilmington. Indianapolis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Wilmington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³).
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