Cost of Living: Indianapolis vs Seattle (2026)

Indianapolis vs Seattle cost of living compared: rent, home prices, and what your salary is really worth. Seattle is about 16% more expensive than Indianapolis overall — $100,000 in Indianapolis is worth about $116,131 in Seattle.

Seattle is about 16% more expensive than Indianapolis overall — $100,000 in Indianapolis is worth about $116,131 in Seattle.

Indianapolis vs Seattle: the numbers

MetricIndianapolisSeattleDifference
Cost-of-living index (US=100)96111+16%
Median rent$1,112$1,998+80%
Median home value$207,000$912,100+341%
Median household income$62,995$121,984+94%

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 $116,131 in Seattle. Going the other way, $100,000 in Seattle is like $86,109 in Indianapolis.

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

Compare any salary: Indianapolis vs Seattle

What you earn (or want to compare)

Frequently Asked Questions

Seattle is more expensive. Its cost-of-living index is 111 vs 96 — a 16% difference. Your money goes further in Indianapolis.

About $116,131 — that's what you'd need in Seattle to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Indianapolis.