Living Cost Compare
Indianapolis

Indiana

$1,160/mo est.

vs
Newark

Delaware

$1,620/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,160 in Indianapolis, IN versus $1,620 in Newark, DE. Overall, Indianapolis, IN is roughly 28% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Newark, DE, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $62,995 in Indianapolis, IN and $71,373 in Newark, DE — about 12% higher in Newark, DE. Indiana has a top state income tax rate of 2.95% and a 7% state sales tax; Delaware has a top state income tax rate of 6.60% and no state sales tax.

Indianapolis, IN
Newark, DE

Rent

Studio
$933
$1,649
+77% in Newark, DE
1 Bedroom
$963
$1,391
+44% in Newark, DE
2 Bedroom
$1,132
$1,513
+34% in Newark, DE
3 Bedroom
$1,304
$1,916
+47% in Newark, DE

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$207,000
$357,600
+73% in Newark, DE

Income

Median Household Income
$62,995
$71,373
+13% in Newark, DE
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$49,340
$54,310
+10% in Newark, DE

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
34.1 yr
22.0 yr
+12.1 yr in Indianapolis, IN
Homeownership
55.3%
50.3%
+5.0 pp in Indianapolis, IN
Bachelor's+ (25+)
34.2%
57.5%
+23.3 pp in Newark, DE
Avg Commute
24.3 min
19.6 min
+4.7 min in Indianapolis, IN

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
936.6
326.3
+65% in Indianapolis, IN
Property Crime
3,351.7
2,024.6
+40% 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
54.9°F
+1.7°F in Newark, DE
Annual Precipitation
42.4 in
43.1 in
+0.6 in in Newark, DE

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$3.85/gal
$3.94/gal
+2% in Newark, DE

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs East Coast (PADD 1).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)
$1.75
—

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
17.5
19.3
+10% in Newark, DE
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$24.52
$29.73
+21% in Newark, DE

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.31
$4.00
+7% in Indianapolis, IN
Bread (lb)
$1.66
$1.75
+5% in Newark, DE
Eggs (doz)
$3.63
$2.21
+39% in Indianapolis, IN
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.77
$6.45
+5% in Indianapolis, IN
Chicken (lb)
$2.10
$1.90
+9% in Indianapolis, IN
Bananas (lb)
$0.62
$0.62
about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (IN / DE)
7%
None
+7.0 pp in IN
Income Tax (top rate)
2.95%
6.60%
+3.6 pp in DE

Indianapolis vs Newark — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Indianapolis or Newark?
Indianapolis, IN is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,160 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 28% below Newark, DE's $1,620, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Indianapolis than in Newark?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $39,000 a year in Indianapolis versus $56,000 in Newark.
Which has lower taxes, Indianapolis or Newark?
Indianapolis is taxed under Indiana's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.95% and a 7% state sales tax); Newark under Delaware's (a top state income tax rate of 6.60% and no 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).