Indianapolis IN vs Worcester MA — 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%
Worcester, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 205,501
- Median HH Income$67,544
- Median Home Price$435,532
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+34.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Indianapolis
882,043
Indianapolis +
Worcester
205,501
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Indianapolis
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
Indianapolis
34.1
Worcester
34.1
Tie
Foreign Born
Indianapolis
11.6%
Worcester
23.2%
Worcester +
White
Indianapolis
53.6%
Worcester
58.0%
Worcester +
Black
Indianapolis
28.1%
Indianapolis +
Worcester
12.1%
Asian
Indianapolis
4.1%
Worcester
6.9%
Worcester +
Hispanic
Indianapolis
13.3%
Worcester
24.9%
Worcester +
Spanish at Home
Indianapolis
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 882,043 | 205,501 | Indianapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 34.1 | Tie |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 23.2% | Worcester + |
| White | 53.6% | 58.0% | Worcester + |
| Black | 28.1% | 12.1% | Indianapolis + |
| Asian | 4.1% | 6.9% | Worcester + |
| Hispanic | 13.3% | 24.9% | Worcester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Indianapolis
$62,995
Worcester
$67,544
Worcester +
Per Capita Income
Indianapolis
$36,194
Indianapolis +
Worcester
$35,825
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Indianapolis
$58,697
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
Indianapolis
5.2%
Indianapolis +
Worcester
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Indianapolis
15.7%
Indianapolis +
Worcester
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Indianapolis
34.2%
Indianapolis +
Worcester
34.1%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,995 | $67,544 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,194 | $35,825 | Indianapolis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 6.4% | Indianapolis + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% | 19.8% | Indianapolis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.2% | 34.1% | Indianapolis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Indianapolis
$232,133
Indianapolis +
Worcester
$435,532
Homeownership Rate
Indianapolis
55.3%
Indianapolis +
Worcester
42.4%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $232,133 | $435,532 | Indianapolis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.3% | 42.4% | Indianapolis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
370
Worcester
326
Worcester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
1719
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 326 | Worcester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1086 | Worcester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Worcester
35.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Worcester
11.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Indianapolis
N/A
Worcester
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Worcester
8.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Worcester
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Worcester
14.5%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 35.3% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.4% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 19.9% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.7% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.1% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.5% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Indianapolis
N/A
Worcester
47.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Indianapolis
41.8 in
Indianapolis +
Worcester
48.1 in
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 47.9°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.8 in | 48.1 in | Indianapolis + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
10.1 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Indianapolis
55.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Worcester +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Worcester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Worcester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Indianapolis
25.8 min
Indianapolis +
Worcester
27.3 min
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 27.3 min | Indianapolis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Worcester leads in median household income at $67,544, while indianapolis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $232,133. On public safety, Worcester is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in Indianapolis. Indianapolis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Worcester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³).
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