Cost of Living: Indianapolis vs Philadelphia (2026)

Indianapolis vs Philadelphia cost of living compared: rent, home prices, and what your salary is really worth. Philadelphia is about 7% more expensive than Indianapolis overall — $100,000 in Indianapolis is worth about $107,166 in Philadelphia.

Philadelphia is about 7% more expensive than Indianapolis overall — $100,000 in Indianapolis is worth about $107,166 in Philadelphia.

Indianapolis vs Philadelphia: the numbers

MetricIndianapolisPhiladelphiaDifference
Cost-of-living index (US=100)96103+7%
Median rent$1,112$1,323+19%
Median home value$207,000$232,400+12%
Median household income$62,995$60,698-4%

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 Indianapolis has the same buying power as about $107,166 in Philadelphia. Going the other way, $100,000 in Philadelphia is like $93,313 in Indianapolis.

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

Compare any salary: Indianapolis vs Philadelphia

What you earn (or want to compare)

Frequently Asked Questions

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

About $107,166 — that's what you'd need in Philadelphia to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Indianapolis.