Living Cost Compare
Indianapolis

Indiana

$1,140/mo est.

vs
Jacksonville

Florida

$1,320/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,140 in Indianapolis, IN versus $1,320 in Jacksonville, FL. Overall, Indianapolis, IN is roughly 14% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Jacksonville, FL, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $62,995 in Indianapolis, IN and $66,981 in Jacksonville, FL — about 6% higher in Jacksonville, FL. Indiana has a top state income tax rate of 2.95% and a 7% state sales tax; Florida has no state income tax and a 6% state sales tax.

Indianapolis, IN
Jacksonville, FL

Rent

Studio
$933
$1,127
+21% in Jacksonville, FL
1 Bedroom
$963
$1,146
+19% in Jacksonville, FL
2 Bedroom
$1,132
$1,385
+22% in Jacksonville, FL
3 Bedroom
$1,304
$1,545
+18% in Jacksonville, FL

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$207,000
$266,100
+29% in Jacksonville, FL

Income

Median Household Income
$62,995
$66,981
+6% in Jacksonville, FL
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$49,340
$48,830
+1% in Indianapolis, IN

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
34.1 yr
36.4 yr
+2.3 yr in Jacksonville, FL
Homeownership
55.3%
57.4%
+2.1 pp in Jacksonville, FL
Bachelor's+ (25+)
34.2%
31.8%
+2.4 pp in Indianapolis, IN
Avg Commute
24.3 min
24.1 min
+0.2 min in Indianapolis, IN

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
936.6
557.6
+40% in Indianapolis, IN
Property Crime
3,351.7
2,599.5
+22% in Indianapolis, IN

FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature
53.2°F
70.2°F
+17.0°F in Jacksonville, FL
Annual Precipitation
42.4 in
49.2 in
+6.8 in in Jacksonville, FL

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$4.35/gal
$4.25/gal
+2% in Indianapolis, IN

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Florida.

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)
$1.75
$1.75
about equal

Adult base one-way fare — IndyGo vs JTA (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
17.9
14.9
+17% in Indianapolis, IN
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$12.49
$23.62
+89% in Jacksonville, FL

Residential, state-level averages (EIA). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.14
$4.16
+1% in Jacksonville, FL
Bread (lb)
$1.79
$1.73
+3% in Indianapolis, IN
Eggs (doz)
$3.63
$2.19
+40% in Indianapolis, IN
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.97
$6.56
+6% in Indianapolis, IN
Chicken (lb)
$2.15
$1.90
+12% in Indianapolis, IN
Bananas (lb)
$0.63
$0.61
+3% in Indianapolis, IN

Average prices — Midwest vs South (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (IN / FL)
7%
6%
+1.0 pp in IN
Income Tax (top rate)
2.95%
None
+3.0 pp in IN

Indianapolis vs Jacksonville — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Indianapolis or Jacksonville?
Indianapolis, IN is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,140 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 14% below Jacksonville, FL's $1,320, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Indianapolis than in Jacksonville?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $39,000 a year in Indianapolis versus $46,000 in Jacksonville.
Which has lower taxes, Indianapolis or Jacksonville?
Indianapolis is taxed under Indiana's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.95% and a 7% state sales tax); Jacksonville under Florida's (no state income tax and a 6% state sales tax).

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010 (climate); EIA weekly retail (gas); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).