Cost of Living: Dallas vs Indianapolis (2026)

Dallas vs Indianapolis cost of living compared: rent, home prices, and what your salary is really worth. Indianapolis is about 7% less expensive than Dallas overall — $100,000 in Dallas is worth about $92,828 in Indianapolis.

Indianapolis is about 7% less expensive than Dallas overall — $100,000 in Dallas is worth about $92,828 in Indianapolis.

Dallas vs Indianapolis: the numbers

MetricDallasIndianapolisDifference
Cost-of-living index (US=100)10396-7%
Median rent$1,403$1,112-21%
Median home value$295,300$207,000-30%
Median household income$67,760$62,995-7%

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 Dallas has the same buying power as about $92,828 in Indianapolis. Going the other way, $100,000 in Indianapolis is like $107,727 in Dallas.

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

Compare any salary: Dallas vs Indianapolis

What you earn (or want to compare)

Frequently Asked Questions

Dallas is more expensive. Its cost-of-living index is 103 vs 96 — a 7% difference. Your money goes further in Indianapolis.

About $92,828 — that's what you'd need in Indianapolis to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Dallas.