Living Cost Compare
Indianapolis

Indiana

$1,140/mo est.

vs
Seattle

Washington

$2,020/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 $2,020 in Seattle, WA. Overall, Indianapolis, IN is roughly 44% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Seattle, WA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $62,995 in Indianapolis, IN and $121,984 in Seattle, WA — about 48% higher in Seattle, WA. Indiana has a top state income tax rate of 2.95% and a 7% state sales tax; Washington has no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Indianapolis, IN
Seattle, WA

Rent

Studio
$933
$1,638
+76% in Seattle, WA
1 Bedroom
$963
$1,858
+93% in Seattle, WA
2 Bedroom
$1,132
$2,359
+108% in Seattle, WA
3 Bedroom
$1,304
$2,918
+124% in Seattle, WA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$207,000
$912,100
+341% in Seattle, WA

Income

Median Household Income
$62,995
$121,984
+94% in Seattle, WA
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$49,340
$72,610
+47% in Seattle, WA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
34.1 yr
35.5 yr
+1.4 yr in Seattle, WA
Homeownership
55.3%
44.2%
+11.1 pp in Indianapolis, IN
Bachelor's+ (25+)
34.2%
67.5%
+33.3 pp in Seattle, WA
Avg Commute
24.3 min
26.6 min
+2.3 min in Seattle, WA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
936.6
787.3
+16% in Indianapolis, IN
Property Crime
3,351.7
5,107.9
+52% in Seattle, WA

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
53.5°F
+0.3°F in Seattle, WA
Annual Precipitation
42.4 in
37.7 in
+4.7 in in Indianapolis, IN

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$4.35/gal
$5.77/gal
+33% in Seattle, WA

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Seattle.

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)
$1.75
$2.75
+57% in Seattle, WA

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
17.9
14.4
+19% in Indianapolis, IN
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$12.49
$17.32
+39% in Seattle, WA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.14
$4.37
+6% in Seattle, WA
Bread (lb)
$1.79
$2.10
+17% in Seattle, WA
Eggs (doz)
$3.63
$2.25
+38% in Indianapolis, IN
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.97
$7.23
+4% in Seattle, WA
Chicken (lb)
$2.15
$2.14
+1% in Indianapolis, IN
Bananas (lb)
$0.63
$0.74
+18% in Seattle, WA

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (IN / WA)
7%
6.5%
+0.5 pp in IN
Income Tax (top rate)
2.95%
None
+3.0 pp in IN

Indianapolis vs Seattle — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Indianapolis or Seattle?
Indianapolis, IN is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,140 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 44% below Seattle, WA's $2,020, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Indianapolis than in Seattle?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $39,000 a year in Indianapolis versus $74,000 in Seattle.
Which has lower taxes, Indianapolis or Seattle?
Indianapolis is taxed under Indiana's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.95% and a 7% state sales tax); Seattle under Washington's (no state income tax and a 6.5% 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).