Side-by-side comparison

Fairfax vs Indianapolis

Cost of living comparison for Fairfax, Virginia and Indianapolis, Indiana.

Bottom line

Fairfax is approximately 56% more expensive than Indianapolis. A single person needs about $4,808/mo in Fairfax versus $3,076/mo in Indianapolis.

Rent in Fairfax vs Indianapolis

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Fairfax · Studio

$2,012

Indianapolis · Studio

$955

Fairfax is $1,057 (111%) higher than Indianapolis

Fairfax · 1 bedroom

$2,056

Indianapolis · 1 bedroom

$1,097

Fairfax is $959 (87%) higher than Indianapolis

Fairfax · 2 bedroom

$2,314

Indianapolis · 2 bedroom

$1,283

Fairfax is $1,031 (80%) higher than Indianapolis

Fairfax · 3 bedroom

$2,893

Indianapolis · 3 bedroom

$1,669

Fairfax is $1,224 (73%) higher than Indianapolis

Income & earnings in Fairfax vs Indianapolis

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Fairfax · Household income

$150,113

Indianapolis · Household income

$63,450

Fairfax is $86,663 (137%) higher than Indianapolis

Fairfax · Individual earnings

$71,572

Indianapolis · Individual earnings

$41,112

Fairfax is $30,460 (74%) higher than Indianapolis

Fairfax · Per capita

$69,971

Indianapolis · Per capita

$36,355

Fairfax is $33,616 (92%) higher than Indianapolis

Home values in Fairfax vs Indianapolis

Average values and property tax.

Fairfax · Average home value

$699,700

Indianapolis · Average home value

$207,000

Fairfax is $492,700 (238%) higher than Indianapolis

Fairfax · Annual property tax

$7,072

Indianapolis · Annual property tax

$1,923

Fairfax is $5,149 (268%) higher than Indianapolis

Energy in Fairfax vs Indianapolis

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Fairfax · Monthly electricity

$153

Indianapolis · Monthly electricity

$142

Fairfax is $11 (8%) higher than Indianapolis

Fairfax · Monthly gas

$49

Indianapolis · Monthly gas

$57

Indianapolis is $8 (16%) higher than Fairfax

Fairfax · Annual total

$2,424

Indianapolis · Annual total

$2,388

Fairfax is $36 (2%) higher than Indianapolis

Healthcare in Fairfax vs Indianapolis

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Fairfax · Individual premium

$480

Indianapolis · Individual premium

$480

Fairfax and Indianapolis are about the same

Fairfax · Family premium

$1,350

Indianapolis · Family premium

$1,350

Fairfax and Indianapolis are about the same

Fairfax · Uninsured rate

7.4%

Indianapolis · Uninsured rate

9.0%

Indianapolis is 1.6% (22%) higher than Fairfax

Taxes in Fairfax vs Indianapolis

State income and sales tax.

Fairfax · State income tax

5.8%

Indianapolis · State income tax

3.0%

Fairfax is 2.7% (89%) higher than Indianapolis

Fairfax · State sales tax

5.3%

Indianapolis · State sales tax

7.0%

Indianapolis is 1.7% (32%) higher than Fairfax

Fairfax · Combined sales tax

5.8%

Indianapolis · Combined sales tax

7.0%

Indianapolis is 1.3% (22%) higher than Fairfax

Transportation in Fairfax vs Indianapolis

Commute time and travel modes.

Fairfax · Average commute

29.5 min

Indianapolis · Average commute

24.2 min

Fairfax is 5.3 min (22%) higher than Indianapolis

Fairfax · Drive alone

57.9%

Indianapolis · Drive alone

73.8%

Indianapolis is 15.9% (27%) higher than Fairfax

Fairfax · Public transit

5.3%

Indianapolis · Public transit

1.3%

Fairfax is 4.0% (308%) higher than Indianapolis

Monthly cost estimates in Fairfax vs Indianapolis

All categories combined.

Fairfax · Single person

$4,808

Indianapolis · Single person

$3,076

Fairfax is $1,732 (56%) higher than Indianapolis

Fairfax · Couple

$7,470

Indianapolis · Couple

$4,262

Fairfax is $3,208 (75%) higher than Indianapolis

Fairfax · Family

$10,211

Indianapolis · Family

$6,776

Fairfax is $3,435 (51%) higher than Indianapolis

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Fairfax and Indianapolis.

Is Fairfax or Indianapolis more expensive?

Fairfax is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $4,808/mo in Fairfax, Virginia and $3,076/mo in Indianapolis, Indiana, a difference of about 56%.

What is the rent difference between Fairfax and Indianapolis?

Average one-bedroom rent in Fairfax, Virginia is $2,056/mo versus $1,097/mo in Indianapolis, Indiana. Fairfax is approximately $959 (87%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Fairfax or Indianapolis?

Fairfax has the higher average household income. Fairfax households earn approximately $150,113 per year; Indianapolis households earn approximately $63,450 per year.

More on Fairfax and Indianapolis

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

Fairfax 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.