Side-by-side comparison

Columbus vs Indianapolis

Cost of living comparison for Columbus, Ohio and Indianapolis, Indiana.

Bottom line

Columbus is approximately 3% more expensive than Indianapolis. A single person needs about $3,178/mo in Columbus versus $3,076/mo in Indianapolis.

Rent in Columbus vs Indianapolis

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Columbus · Studio

$1,104

Indianapolis · Studio

$955

Columbus is $149 (16%) higher than Indianapolis

Columbus · 1 bedroom

$1,194

Indianapolis · 1 bedroom

$1,097

Columbus is $97 (9%) higher than Indianapolis

Columbus · 2 bedroom

$1,445

Indianapolis · 2 bedroom

$1,283

Columbus is $162 (13%) higher than Indianapolis

Columbus · 3 bedroom

$1,741

Indianapolis · 3 bedroom

$1,669

Columbus is $72 (4%) higher than Indianapolis

Income & earnings in Columbus vs Indianapolis

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Columbus · Household income

$73,795

Indianapolis · Household income

$63,450

Columbus is $10,345 (16%) higher than Indianapolis

Columbus · Individual earnings

$45,288

Indianapolis · Individual earnings

$41,112

Columbus is $4,176 (10%) higher than Indianapolis

Columbus · Per capita

$42,855

Indianapolis · Per capita

$36,355

Columbus is $6,500 (18%) higher than Indianapolis

Home values in Columbus vs Indianapolis

Average values and property tax.

Columbus · Average home value

$265,700

Indianapolis · Average home value

$207,000

Columbus is $58,700 (28%) higher than Indianapolis

Columbus · Annual property tax

$4,110

Indianapolis · Annual property tax

$1,923

Columbus is $2,187 (114%) higher than Indianapolis

Energy in Columbus vs Indianapolis

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Columbus · Monthly electricity

$131

Indianapolis · Monthly electricity

$142

Indianapolis is $11 (8%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · Monthly gas

$63

Indianapolis · Monthly gas

$57

Columbus is $6 (11%) higher than Indianapolis

Columbus · Annual total

$2,328

Indianapolis · Annual total

$2,388

Indianapolis is $60 (3%) higher than Columbus

Healthcare in Columbus vs Indianapolis

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Columbus · Individual premium

$480

Indianapolis · Individual premium

$480

Columbus and Indianapolis are about the same

Columbus · Family premium

$1,350

Indianapolis · Family premium

$1,350

Columbus and Indianapolis are about the same

Columbus · Uninsured rate

8.4%

Indianapolis · Uninsured rate

9.0%

Indianapolis is 0.6% (7%) higher than Columbus

Taxes in Columbus vs Indianapolis

State income and sales tax.

Columbus · State income tax

3.5%

Indianapolis · State income tax

3.0%

Columbus is 0.5% (15%) higher than Indianapolis

Columbus · State sales tax

5.8%

Indianapolis · State sales tax

7.0%

Indianapolis is 1.3% (22%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · Combined sales tax

7.2%

Indianapolis · Combined sales tax

7.0%

Columbus is 0.2% (3%) higher than Indianapolis

Transportation in Columbus vs Indianapolis

Commute time and travel modes.

Columbus · Average commute

21.8 min

Indianapolis · Average commute

24.2 min

Indianapolis is 2.4 min (11%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · Drive alone

70.5%

Indianapolis · Drive alone

73.8%

Indianapolis is 3.3% (5%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · Public transit

1.7%

Indianapolis · Public transit

1.3%

Columbus is 0.4% (31%) higher than Indianapolis

Monthly cost estimates in Columbus vs Indianapolis

All categories combined.

Columbus · Single person

$3,178

Indianapolis · Single person

$3,076

Columbus is $102 (3%) higher than Indianapolis

Columbus · Couple

$4,539

Indianapolis · Couple

$4,262

Columbus is $277 (6%) higher than Indianapolis

Columbus · Family

$6,964

Indianapolis · Family

$6,776

Columbus is $188 (3%) higher than Indianapolis

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Columbus and Indianapolis.

Is Columbus or Indianapolis more expensive?

Columbus is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,178/mo in Columbus, Ohio and $3,076/mo in Indianapolis, Indiana, a difference of about 3%.

What is the rent difference between Columbus and Indianapolis?

Average one-bedroom rent in Columbus, Ohio is $1,194/mo versus $1,097/mo in Indianapolis, Indiana. Columbus is approximately $97 (9%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Columbus or Indianapolis?

Columbus has the higher average household income. Columbus households earn approximately $73,795 per year; Indianapolis households earn approximately $63,450 per year.

More on Columbus and Indianapolis

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

Columbus 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.