Cost of Living: Austin vs Indianapolis (2026)

Austin vs Indianapolis cost of living compared: rent, home prices, and what your salary is really worth. Indianapolis is about 2% less expensive than Austin overall — $100,000 in Austin is worth about $97,583 in Indianapolis.

Indianapolis is about 2% less expensive than Austin overall — $100,000 in Austin is worth about $97,583 in Indianapolis.

Austin vs Indianapolis: the numbers

MetricAustinIndianapolisDifference
Cost-of-living index (US=100)9896-2%
Median rent$1,655$1,112-33%
Median home value$512,700$207,000-60%
Median household income$91,461$62,995-31%

Cost of living = BEA Regional Price Parities (US average = 100). Rent, home value, and income from the U.S. Census ACS. See our methodology.

What your salary is worth

A $100,000 salary in Austin has the same buying power as about $97,583 in Indianapolis. Going the other way, $100,000 in Indianapolis is like $102,477 in Austin.

Use the calculator below to compare any salary between Austin and Indianapolis.

Compare any salary: Austin vs Indianapolis

What you earn (or want to compare)

Frequently Asked Questions

Austin is more expensive. Its cost-of-living index is 98 vs 96 — a 2% difference. Your money goes further in Indianapolis.

About $97,583 — that's what you'd need in Indianapolis to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Austin.