Living Cost Compare
Indianapolis

Indiana

$1,140/mo est.

vs
Washington

District of Columbia

$2,130/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 $2,130 in Washington, DC. Overall, Indianapolis, IN is roughly 46% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Washington, DC, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $62,995 in Indianapolis, IN and $106,287 in Washington, DC — about 41% higher in Washington, DC. Indiana has a top state income tax rate of 2.95% and a 7% state sales tax; District of Columbia has a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6% state sales tax.

Indianapolis, IN
Washington, DC

Rent

Studio
$933
$1,763
+89% in Washington, DC
1 Bedroom
$963
$1,885
+96% in Washington, DC
2 Bedroom
$1,132
$1,949
+72% in Washington, DC
3 Bedroom
$1,304
$2,249
+72% in Washington, DC

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$207,000
$724,600
+250% in Washington, DC

Income

Median Household Income
$62,995
$106,287
+69% in Washington, DC
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$49,340
$71,060
+44% in Washington, DC

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
34.1 yr
34.9 yr
+0.8 yr in Washington, DC
Homeownership
55.3%
41.1%
+14.2 pp in Indianapolis, IN
Bachelor's+ (25+)
34.2%
63.6%
+29.4 pp in Washington, DC
Avg Commute
24.3 min
30.3 min
+6.0 min in Washington, DC

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
936.6
936
+0% in Indianapolis, IN
Property Crime
3,351.7
3,627.1
+8% in Washington, DC

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
58.2°F
+5.0°F in Washington, DC
Annual Precipitation
42.4 in
39.7 in
+2.7 in in Indianapolis, IN

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$4.35/gal
$4.30/gal
+1% in Indianapolis, IN

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

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)
$1.75
$2.00
+14% in Washington, DC

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
17.9
25.0
+40% in Washington, DC
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$12.49
$18.01
+44% in Washington, DC

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.14
$4.16
+1% in Washington, DC
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 / DC)
7%
6%
+1.0 pp in IN
Income Tax (top rate)
2.95%
10.75%
+7.8 pp in DC

Indianapolis vs Washington — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Indianapolis or Washington?
Indianapolis, IN is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,140 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 46% below Washington, DC's $2,130, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Indianapolis than in Washington?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $39,000 a year in Indianapolis versus $75,000 in Washington.
Which has lower taxes, Indianapolis or Washington?
Indianapolis is taxed under Indiana's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.95% and a 7% state sales tax); Washington under District of Columbia's (a top state income tax rate of 10.75% 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).