Side-by-side comparison

Indianapolis vs San Diego

Cost of living comparison for Indianapolis, Indiana and San Diego, California.

Bottom line

San Diego is approximately 47% more expensive than Indianapolis. A single person needs about $4,511/mo in San Diego versus $3,076/mo in Indianapolis.

Rent in Indianapolis vs San Diego

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Indianapolis · Studio

$955

San Diego · Studio

$2,145

San Diego is $1,190 (125%) higher than Indianapolis

Indianapolis · 1 bedroom

$1,097

San Diego · 1 bedroom

$2,328

San Diego is $1,231 (112%) higher than Indianapolis

Indianapolis · 2 bedroom

$1,283

San Diego · 2 bedroom

$2,881

San Diego is $1,598 (125%) higher than Indianapolis

Indianapolis · 3 bedroom

$1,669

San Diego · 3 bedroom

$3,852

San Diego is $2,183 (131%) higher than Indianapolis

Income & earnings in Indianapolis vs San Diego

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Indianapolis · Household income

$63,450

San Diego · Household income

$102,285

San Diego is $38,835 (61%) higher than Indianapolis

Indianapolis · Individual earnings

$41,112

San Diego · Individual earnings

$49,552

San Diego is $8,440 (21%) higher than Indianapolis

Indianapolis · Per capita

$36,355

San Diego · Per capita

$49,891

San Diego is $13,536 (37%) higher than Indianapolis

Home values in Indianapolis vs San Diego

Average values and property tax.

Indianapolis · Average home value

$207,000

San Diego · Average home value

$791,600

San Diego is $584,600 (282%) higher than Indianapolis

Indianapolis · Annual property tax

$1,923

San Diego · Annual property tax

$5,542

San Diego is $3,619 (188%) higher than Indianapolis

Energy in Indianapolis vs San Diego

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Indianapolis · Monthly electricity

$142

San Diego · Monthly electricity

$167

San Diego is $25 (18%) higher than Indianapolis

Indianapolis · Monthly gas

$57

San Diego · Monthly gas

$50

Indianapolis is $7 (14%) higher than San Diego

Indianapolis · Annual total

$2,388

San Diego · Annual total

$2,604

San Diego is $216 (9%) higher than Indianapolis

Healthcare in Indianapolis vs San Diego

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Indianapolis · Individual premium

$480

San Diego · Individual premium

$480

Indianapolis and San Diego are about the same

Indianapolis · Family premium

$1,350

San Diego · Family premium

$1,350

Indianapolis and San Diego are about the same

Indianapolis · Uninsured rate

9.0%

San Diego · Uninsured rate

6.8%

Indianapolis is 2.2% (32%) higher than San Diego

Taxes in Indianapolis vs San Diego

State income and sales tax.

Indianapolis · State income tax

3.0%

San Diego · State income tax

13.3%

San Diego is 10.3% (336%) higher than Indianapolis

Indianapolis · State sales tax

7.0%

San Diego · State sales tax

7.3%

San Diego is 0.3% (4%) higher than Indianapolis

Indianapolis · Combined sales tax

7.0%

San Diego · Combined sales tax

8.8%

San Diego is 1.8% (26%) higher than Indianapolis

Transportation in Indianapolis vs San Diego

Commute time and travel modes.

Indianapolis · Average commute

24.2 min

San Diego · Average commute

25.9 min

San Diego is 1.7 min (7%) higher than Indianapolis

Indianapolis · Drive alone

73.8%

San Diego · Drive alone

67.6%

Indianapolis is 6.2% (9%) higher than San Diego

Indianapolis · Public transit

1.3%

San Diego · Public transit

2.2%

San Diego is 0.9% (69%) higher than Indianapolis

Monthly cost estimates in Indianapolis vs San Diego

All categories combined.

Indianapolis · Single person

$3,076

San Diego · Single person

$4,511

San Diego is $1,435 (47%) higher than Indianapolis

Indianapolis · Couple

$4,262

San Diego · Couple

$6,941

San Diego is $2,679 (63%) higher than Indianapolis

Indianapolis · Family

$6,776

San Diego · Family

$10,119

San Diego is $3,343 (49%) higher than Indianapolis

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Indianapolis and San Diego.

Is Indianapolis or San Diego more expensive?

San Diego is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,076/mo in Indianapolis, Indiana and $4,511/mo in San Diego, California, a difference of about 47%.

What is the rent difference between Indianapolis and San Diego?

Average one-bedroom rent in Indianapolis, Indiana is $1,097/mo versus $2,328/mo in San Diego, California. San Diego is approximately $1,231 (112%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Indianapolis or San Diego?

San Diego has the higher average household income. Indianapolis households earn approximately $63,450 per year; San Diego households earn approximately $102,285 per year.

More on Indianapolis and San Diego

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

Indianapolis profile San Diego 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.