Side-by-side comparison

Seattle vs Indianapolis

Cost of living comparison for Seattle, Washington and Indianapolis, Indiana.

Bottom line

Seattle is approximately 49% more expensive than Indianapolis. A single person needs about $4,588/mo in Seattle versus $3,076/mo in Indianapolis.

Rent in Seattle vs Indianapolis

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Seattle · Studio

$2,238

Indianapolis · Studio

$955

Seattle is $1,283 (134%) higher than Indianapolis

Seattle · 1 bedroom

$2,293

Indianapolis · 1 bedroom

$1,097

Seattle is $1,196 (109%) higher than Indianapolis

Seattle · 2 bedroom

$2,671

Indianapolis · 2 bedroom

$1,283

Seattle is $1,388 (108%) higher than Indianapolis

Seattle · 3 bedroom

$3,521

Indianapolis · 3 bedroom

$1,669

Seattle is $1,852 (111%) higher than Indianapolis

Income & earnings in Seattle vs Indianapolis

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Seattle · Household income

$122,148

Indianapolis · Household income

$63,450

Seattle is $58,698 (93%) higher than Indianapolis

Seattle · Individual earnings

$67,141

Indianapolis · Individual earnings

$41,112

Seattle is $26,029 (63%) higher than Indianapolis

Seattle · Per capita

$71,062

Indianapolis · Per capita

$36,355

Seattle is $34,707 (95%) higher than Indianapolis

Home values in Seattle vs Indianapolis

Average values and property tax.

Seattle · Average home value

$811,200

Indianapolis · Average home value

$207,000

Seattle is $604,200 (292%) higher than Indianapolis

Seattle · Annual property tax

$6,785

Indianapolis · Annual property tax

$1,923

Seattle is $4,862 (253%) higher than Indianapolis

Energy in Seattle vs Indianapolis

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Seattle · Monthly electricity

$109

Indianapolis · Monthly electricity

$142

Indianapolis is $33 (30%) higher than Seattle

Seattle · Monthly gas

$48

Indianapolis · Monthly gas

$57

Indianapolis is $9 (19%) higher than Seattle

Seattle · Annual total

$1,884

Indianapolis · Annual total

$2,388

Indianapolis is $504 (27%) higher than Seattle

Healthcare in Seattle vs Indianapolis

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Seattle · Individual premium

$480

Indianapolis · Individual premium

$480

Seattle and Indianapolis are about the same

Seattle · Family premium

$1,350

Indianapolis · Family premium

$1,350

Seattle and Indianapolis are about the same

Seattle · Uninsured rate

5.2%

Indianapolis · Uninsured rate

9.0%

Indianapolis is 3.8% (73%) higher than Seattle

Taxes in Seattle vs Indianapolis

State income and sales tax.

Seattle · State income tax

0.0%

Indianapolis · State income tax

3.0%

Indianapolis is 3.0% higher than Seattle

Seattle · State sales tax

6.5%

Indianapolis · State sales tax

7.0%

Indianapolis is 0.5% (8%) higher than Seattle

Seattle · Combined sales tax

10.2%

Indianapolis · Combined sales tax

7.0%

Seattle is 3.2% (46%) higher than Indianapolis

Transportation in Seattle vs Indianapolis

Commute time and travel modes.

Seattle · Average commute

28.1 min

Indianapolis · Average commute

24.2 min

Seattle is 3.9 min (16%) higher than Indianapolis

Seattle · Drive alone

51.8%

Indianapolis · Drive alone

73.8%

Indianapolis is 22.0% (42%) higher than Seattle

Seattle · Public transit

8.0%

Indianapolis · Public transit

1.3%

Seattle is 6.7% (515%) higher than Indianapolis

Monthly cost estimates in Seattle vs Indianapolis

All categories combined.

Seattle · Single person

$4,588

Indianapolis · Single person

$3,076

Seattle is $1,512 (49%) higher than Indianapolis

Seattle · Couple

$6,424

Indianapolis · Couple

$4,262

Seattle is $2,162 (51%) higher than Indianapolis

Seattle · Family

$9,440

Indianapolis · Family

$6,776

Seattle is $2,664 (39%) higher than Indianapolis

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Seattle and Indianapolis.

Is Seattle or Indianapolis more expensive?

Seattle is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $4,588/mo in Seattle, Washington and $3,076/mo in Indianapolis, Indiana, a difference of about 49%.

What is the rent difference between Seattle and Indianapolis?

Average one-bedroom rent in Seattle, Washington is $2,293/mo versus $1,097/mo in Indianapolis, Indiana. Seattle is approximately $1,196 (109%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Seattle or Indianapolis?

Seattle has the higher average household income. Seattle households earn approximately $122,148 per year; Indianapolis households earn approximately $63,450 per year.

More on Seattle and Indianapolis

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

Seattle 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.