Cost of Living: Denver vs Indianapolis (2026)

Denver vs Indianapolis cost of living compared: rent, home prices, and what your salary is really worth. Indianapolis is about 10% less expensive than Denver overall — $100,000 in Denver is worth about $90,465 in Indianapolis.

Indianapolis is about 10% less expensive than Denver overall — $100,000 in Denver is worth about $90,465 in Indianapolis.

Denver vs Indianapolis: the numbers

MetricDenverIndianapolisDifference
Cost-of-living index (US=100)10696-10%
Median rent$1,770$1,112-37%
Median home value$586,700$207,000-65%
Median household income$91,681$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 Denver has the same buying power as about $90,465 in Indianapolis. Going the other way, $100,000 in Indianapolis is like $110,540 in Denver.

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

Compare any salary: Denver vs Indianapolis

What you earn (or want to compare)

Frequently Asked Questions

Denver is more expensive. Its cost-of-living index is 106 vs 96 — a 10% difference. Your money goes further in Indianapolis.

About $90,465 — that's what you'd need in Indianapolis to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Denver.