Side-by-side comparison

Indianapolis vs Philadelphia

Cost of living comparison for Indianapolis, Indiana and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Bottom line

Philadelphia is approximately 10% more expensive than Indianapolis. A single person needs about $3,382/mo in Philadelphia versus $3,076/mo in Indianapolis.

Rent in Indianapolis vs Philadelphia

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Indianapolis · Studio

$955

Philadelphia · Studio

$1,372

Philadelphia is $417 (44%) higher than Indianapolis

Indianapolis · 1 bedroom

$1,097

Philadelphia · 1 bedroom

$1,512

Philadelphia is $415 (38%) higher than Indianapolis

Indianapolis · 2 bedroom

$1,283

Philadelphia · 2 bedroom

$1,802

Philadelphia is $519 (40%) higher than Indianapolis

Indianapolis · 3 bedroom

$1,669

Philadelphia · 3 bedroom

$2,171

Philadelphia is $502 (30%) higher than Indianapolis

Income & earnings in Indianapolis vs Philadelphia

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Indianapolis · Household income

$63,450

Philadelphia · Household income

$60,698

Indianapolis is $2,752 (5%) higher than Philadelphia

Indianapolis · Individual earnings

$41,112

Philadelphia · Individual earnings

$42,478

Philadelphia is $1,366 (3%) higher than Indianapolis

Indianapolis · Per capita

$36,355

Philadelphia · Per capita

$37,669

Philadelphia is $1,314 (4%) higher than Indianapolis

Home values in Indianapolis vs Philadelphia

Average values and property tax.

Indianapolis · Average home value

$207,000

Philadelphia · Average home value

$232,400

Philadelphia is $25,400 (12%) higher than Indianapolis

Indianapolis · Annual property tax

$1,923

Philadelphia · Annual property tax

$1,952

Philadelphia is $29 (2%) higher than Indianapolis

Energy in Indianapolis vs Philadelphia

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Indianapolis · Monthly electricity

$142

Philadelphia · Monthly electricity

$143

Philadelphia is $1 (1%) higher than Indianapolis

Indianapolis · Monthly gas

$57

Philadelphia · Monthly gas

$62

Philadelphia is $5 (9%) higher than Indianapolis

Indianapolis · Annual total

$2,388

Philadelphia · Annual total

$2,460

Philadelphia is $72 (3%) higher than Indianapolis

Healthcare in Indianapolis vs Philadelphia

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Indianapolis · Individual premium

$480

Philadelphia · Individual premium

$480

Indianapolis and Philadelphia are about the same

Indianapolis · Family premium

$1,350

Philadelphia · Family premium

$1,350

Indianapolis and Philadelphia are about the same

Indianapolis · Uninsured rate

9.0%

Philadelphia · Uninsured rate

7.2%

Indianapolis is 1.8% (25%) higher than Philadelphia

Taxes in Indianapolis vs Philadelphia

State income and sales tax.

Indianapolis · State income tax

3.0%

Philadelphia · State income tax

3.1%

Philadelphia is 0.0% (1%) higher than Indianapolis

Indianapolis · State sales tax

7.0%

Philadelphia · State sales tax

6.0%

Indianapolis is 1.0% (17%) higher than Philadelphia

Indianapolis · Combined sales tax

7.0%

Philadelphia · Combined sales tax

6.3%

Indianapolis is 0.7% (10%) higher than Philadelphia

Transportation in Indianapolis vs Philadelphia

Commute time and travel modes.

Indianapolis · Average commute

24.2 min

Philadelphia · Average commute

32.0 min

Philadelphia is 7.8 min (32%) higher than Indianapolis

Indianapolis · Drive alone

73.8%

Philadelphia · Drive alone

46.7%

Indianapolis is 27.1% (58%) higher than Philadelphia

Indianapolis · Public transit

1.3%

Philadelphia · Public transit

17.9%

Philadelphia is 16.6% (1277%) higher than Indianapolis

Monthly cost estimates in Indianapolis vs Philadelphia

All categories combined.

Indianapolis · Single person

$3,076

Philadelphia · Single person

$3,382

Philadelphia is $306 (10%) higher than Indianapolis

Indianapolis · Couple

$4,262

Philadelphia · Couple

$4,560

Philadelphia is $298 (7%) higher than Indianapolis

Indianapolis · Family

$6,776

Philadelphia · Family

$7,059

Philadelphia is $283 (4%) higher than Indianapolis

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Indianapolis and Philadelphia.

Is Indianapolis or Philadelphia more expensive?

Philadelphia is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,076/mo in Indianapolis, Indiana and $3,382/mo in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, a difference of about 10%.

What is the rent difference between Indianapolis and Philadelphia?

Average one-bedroom rent in Indianapolis, Indiana is $1,097/mo versus $1,512/mo in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Philadelphia is approximately $415 (38%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Indianapolis or Philadelphia?

Indianapolis has the higher average household income. Indianapolis households earn approximately $63,450 per year; Philadelphia households earn approximately $60,698 per year.

More on Indianapolis and Philadelphia

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

Indianapolis profile Philadelphia 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.