Cost of Living: Chicago vs Indianapolis (2026)

Chicago vs Indianapolis cost of living compared: rent, home prices, and what your salary is really worth. Indianapolis is about 8% less expensive than Chicago overall — $100,000 in Chicago is worth about $92,375 in Indianapolis.

Indianapolis is about 8% less expensive than Chicago overall — $100,000 in Chicago is worth about $92,375 in Indianapolis.

Chicago vs Indianapolis: the numbers

MetricChicagoIndianapolisDifference
Cost-of-living index (US=100)10496-8%
Median rent$1,380$1,112-19%
Median home value$315,200$207,000-34%
Median household income$75,134$62,995-16%

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 Chicago has the same buying power as about $92,375 in Indianapolis. Going the other way, $100,000 in Indianapolis is like $108,254 in Chicago.

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

Compare any salary: Chicago vs Indianapolis

What you earn (or want to compare)

Frequently Asked Questions

Chicago is more expensive. Its cost-of-living index is 104 vs 96 — a 8% difference. Your money goes further in Indianapolis.

About $92,375 — that's what you'd need in Indianapolis to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Chicago.