Side-by-side comparison

Chicago vs Indianapolis

Cost of living comparison for Chicago, Illinois and Indianapolis, Indiana.

Bottom line

Chicago is approximately 21% more expensive than Indianapolis. A single person needs about $3,707/mo in Chicago versus $3,076/mo in Indianapolis.

Rent in Chicago vs Indianapolis

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Chicago · Studio

$1,458

Indianapolis · Studio

$955

Chicago is $503 (53%) higher than Indianapolis

Chicago · 1 bedroom

$1,560

Indianapolis · 1 bedroom

$1,097

Chicago is $463 (42%) higher than Indianapolis

Chicago · 2 bedroom

$1,761

Indianapolis · 2 bedroom

$1,283

Chicago is $478 (37%) higher than Indianapolis

Chicago · 3 bedroom

$2,262

Indianapolis · 3 bedroom

$1,669

Chicago is $593 (36%) higher than Indianapolis

Income & earnings in Chicago vs Indianapolis

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Chicago · Household income

$81,797

Indianapolis · Household income

$63,450

Chicago is $18,347 (29%) higher than Indianapolis

Chicago · Individual earnings

$49,298

Indianapolis · Individual earnings

$41,112

Chicago is $8,186 (20%) higher than Indianapolis

Chicago · Per capita

$47,801

Indianapolis · Per capita

$36,355

Chicago is $11,446 (31%) higher than Indianapolis

Home values in Chicago vs Indianapolis

Average values and property tax.

Chicago · Average home value

$305,200

Indianapolis · Average home value

$207,000

Chicago is $98,200 (47%) higher than Indianapolis

Chicago · Annual property tax

$6,053

Indianapolis · Annual property tax

$1,923

Chicago is $4,130 (215%) higher than Indianapolis

Energy in Chicago vs Indianapolis

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Chicago · Monthly electricity

$116

Indianapolis · Monthly electricity

$142

Indianapolis is $26 (22%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Monthly gas

$61

Indianapolis · Monthly gas

$57

Chicago is $4 (7%) higher than Indianapolis

Chicago · Annual total

$2,124

Indianapolis · Annual total

$2,388

Indianapolis is $264 (12%) higher than Chicago

Healthcare in Chicago vs Indianapolis

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Chicago · Individual premium

$480

Indianapolis · Individual premium

$480

Chicago and Indianapolis are about the same

Chicago · Family premium

$1,350

Indianapolis · Family premium

$1,350

Chicago and Indianapolis are about the same

Chicago · Uninsured rate

9.0%

Indianapolis · Uninsured rate

9.0%

Chicago and Indianapolis are about the same

Taxes in Chicago vs Indianapolis

State income and sales tax.

Chicago · State income tax

5.0%

Indianapolis · State income tax

3.0%

Chicago is 1.9% (62%) higher than Indianapolis

Chicago · State sales tax

6.3%

Indianapolis · State sales tax

7.0%

Indianapolis is 0.8% (12%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Combined sales tax

8.8%

Indianapolis · Combined sales tax

7.0%

Chicago is 1.8% (26%) higher than Indianapolis

Transportation in Chicago vs Indianapolis

Commute time and travel modes.

Chicago · Average commute

31.9 min

Indianapolis · Average commute

24.2 min

Chicago is 7.7 min (32%) higher than Indianapolis

Chicago · Drive alone

56.2%

Indianapolis · Drive alone

73.8%

Indianapolis is 17.6% (31%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Public transit

13.0%

Indianapolis · Public transit

1.3%

Chicago is 11.7% (900%) higher than Indianapolis

Monthly cost estimates in Chicago vs Indianapolis

All categories combined.

Chicago · Single person

$3,707

Indianapolis · Single person

$3,076

Chicago is $631 (21%) higher than Indianapolis

Chicago · Couple

$5,165

Indianapolis · Couple

$4,262

Chicago is $903 (21%) higher than Indianapolis

Chicago · Family

$7,811

Indianapolis · Family

$6,776

Chicago is $1,035 (15%) higher than Indianapolis

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Chicago and Indianapolis.

Is Chicago or Indianapolis more expensive?

Chicago is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,707/mo in Chicago, Illinois and $3,076/mo in Indianapolis, Indiana, a difference of about 21%.

What is the rent difference between Chicago and Indianapolis?

Average one-bedroom rent in Chicago, Illinois is $1,560/mo versus $1,097/mo in Indianapolis, Indiana. Chicago is approximately $463 (42%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Chicago or Indianapolis?

Chicago has the higher average household income. Chicago households earn approximately $81,797 per year; Indianapolis households earn approximately $63,450 per year.

More on Chicago and Indianapolis

Read full profiles for either area, or pick a different pair to compare.

Chicago profile Indianapolis profile Compare different areas

About this data

Figures come from official U.S. government sources including the Census Bureau (ACS), HUD Fair Market Rents, and the Energy Information Administration. See our methodology for details.