salaryIndianapolis is the largest city in Indiana that we track, with 885,860 residents. Rent is lower than in 60% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 3.1 years of household income.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $58,600 a year. That is $28 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Indiana cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of Indiana. It is number 96 of 132 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
Compare Indianapolis with other big cities
Compare Indianapolis to 149 other cities →
How much do households earn in Indianapolis?
Share of households by yearly income. 21.4% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Indianapolis
| Size | Indianapolis | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,054 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,127 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,315 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,497 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,744 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Indianapolis overall?
Everyday prices in the Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood metro area are 4% below the U.S. average (index 95.7, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Indianapolis
Life in Indianapolis
What jobs pay in Indianapolis
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $151,050 | 11.6% |
| Physician Assistant | $131,950 | 13.3% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $130,460 | 13.5% |
| Operations Manager | $120,480 | 14.6% |
| Software Developer | $106,870 | 16.4% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $101,890 | 17.3% |
| Civil Engineer | $101,830 | 17.3% |
| Dental Hygienist | $97,470 | 18.0% |
| Registered Nurse | $84,230 | 20.9% |
| Police Officer | $83,110 | 21.2% |
| Accountant | $79,290 | 22.2% |
| Plumber | $76,980 | 22.8% |
| Firefighter | $68,480 | 25.7% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $67,200 | 26.2% |
| Market Research Analyst | $65,200 | 27.0% |
| Electrician | $65,130 | 27.0% |
| Carpenter | $65,070 | 27.0% |
| HVAC Technician | $62,160 | 28.3% |
| Truck Driver | $61,980 | 28.4% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $60,510 | 29.1% |
| Medical Assistant | $46,900 | 37.5% |
| Warehouse Worker | $44,180 | 39.8% |
| Customer Service Representative | $43,460 | 40.5% |
| Nursing Assistant | $38,880 | 45.2% |
| Restaurant Cook | $36,610 | 48.0% |
| Retail Salesperson | $31,530 | 55.8% |
| Cashier | $29,890 | 58.8% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $29,050 | 60.5% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Indianapolis?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $95 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $224,800 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $22,480 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Indianapolis, IN?
Renting in Indianapolis costs a median of about $1,465 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Indiana median is $1,219.
How much do I need to make to live in Indianapolis?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $58,600 a year, or $28 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Indianapolis cheap or expensive?
Indianapolis is rated OK: rent takes 24.6% of the typical household income of $71,417. It ranks 96th cheapest of 132 Indiana cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Indianapolis?
The median homeowner in Indianapolis pays $2,037 a year in property taxes, about 0.91% of the median home value.
Is Indianapolis more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 4% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Indianapolis?
The median home value in Indianapolis is $224,800, about 3.1 times the typical yearly household income.
885,860 people live in Indianapolis. Numbers are typical (middle) values.