Cost of Living: Boston vs Indianapolis (2026)

Boston vs Indianapolis cost of living compared: rent, home prices, and what your salary is really worth. Indianapolis is about 12% less expensive than Boston overall — $100,000 in Boston is worth about $88,390 in Indianapolis.

Indianapolis is about 12% less expensive than Boston overall — $100,000 in Boston is worth about $88,390 in Indianapolis.

Boston vs Indianapolis: the numbers

MetricBostonIndianapolisDifference
Cost-of-living index (US=100)10896-12%
Median rent$2,093$1,112-47%
Median home value$710,400$207,000-71%
Median household income$94,755$62,995-34%

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 Boston has the same buying power as about $88,390 in Indianapolis. Going the other way, $100,000 in Indianapolis is like $113,135 in Boston.

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

Compare any salary: Boston vs Indianapolis

What you earn (or want to compare)

Frequently Asked Questions

Boston is more expensive. Its cost-of-living index is 108 vs 96 — a 12% difference. Your money goes further in Indianapolis.

About $88,390 — that's what you'd need in Indianapolis to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Boston.