Side-by-side comparison

Indianapolis vs Detroit

Cost of living comparison for Indianapolis, Indiana and Detroit, Michigan.

Bottom line

Detroit is approximately 0% more expensive than Indianapolis. A single person needs about $3,088/mo in Detroit versus $3,076/mo in Indianapolis.

Rent in Indianapolis vs Detroit

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Indianapolis · Studio

$955

Detroit · Studio

$991

Detroit is $36 (4%) higher than Indianapolis

Indianapolis · 1 bedroom

$1,097

Detroit · 1 bedroom

$1,090

Indianapolis is $7 (1%) higher than Detroit

Indianapolis · 2 bedroom

$1,283

Detroit · 2 bedroom

$1,378

Detroit is $95 (7%) higher than Indianapolis

Indianapolis · 3 bedroom

$1,669

Detroit · 3 bedroom

$1,688

Detroit is $19 (1%) higher than Indianapolis

Income & earnings in Indianapolis vs Detroit

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Indianapolis · Household income

$63,450

Detroit · Household income

$59,521

Indianapolis is $3,929 (7%) higher than Detroit

Indianapolis · Individual earnings

$41,112

Detroit · Individual earnings

$39,979

Indianapolis is $1,133 (3%) higher than Detroit

Indianapolis · Per capita

$36,355

Detroit · Per capita

$33,956

Indianapolis is $2,399 (7%) higher than Detroit

Home values in Indianapolis vs Detroit

Average values and property tax.

Indianapolis · Average home value

$207,000

Detroit · Average home value

$170,200

Indianapolis is $36,800 (22%) higher than Detroit

Indianapolis · Annual property tax

$1,923

Detroit · Annual property tax

$2,794

Detroit is $871 (45%) higher than Indianapolis

Energy in Indianapolis vs Detroit

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Indianapolis · Monthly electricity

$142

Detroit · Monthly electricity

$128

Indianapolis is $14 (11%) higher than Detroit

Indianapolis · Monthly gas

$57

Detroit · Monthly gas

$63

Detroit is $6 (11%) higher than Indianapolis

Indianapolis · Annual total

$2,388

Detroit · Annual total

$2,292

Indianapolis is $96 (4%) higher than Detroit

Healthcare in Indianapolis vs Detroit

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Indianapolis · Individual premium

$480

Detroit · Individual premium

$480

Indianapolis and Detroit are about the same

Indianapolis · Family premium

$1,350

Detroit · Family premium

$1,350

Indianapolis and Detroit are about the same

Indianapolis · Uninsured rate

9.0%

Detroit · Uninsured rate

5.7%

Indianapolis is 3.3% (58%) higher than Detroit

Taxes in Indianapolis vs Detroit

State income and sales tax.

Indianapolis · State income tax

3.0%

Detroit · State income tax

4.3%

Detroit is 1.2% (39%) higher than Indianapolis

Indianapolis · State sales tax

7.0%

Detroit · State sales tax

6.0%

Indianapolis is 1.0% (17%) higher than Detroit

Indianapolis · Combined sales tax

7.0%

Detroit · Combined sales tax

6.0%

Indianapolis is 1.0% (17%) higher than Detroit

Transportation in Indianapolis vs Detroit

Commute time and travel modes.

Indianapolis · Average commute

24.2 min

Detroit · Average commute

25.0 min

Detroit is 0.8 min (3%) higher than Indianapolis

Indianapolis · Drive alone

73.8%

Detroit · Drive alone

73.0%

Indianapolis is 0.8% (1%) higher than Detroit

Indianapolis · Public transit

1.3%

Detroit · Public transit

2.2%

Detroit is 0.9% (69%) higher than Indianapolis

Monthly cost estimates in Indianapolis vs Detroit

All categories combined.

Indianapolis · Single person

$3,076

Detroit · Single person

$3,088

Detroit is $12 (0%) higher than Indianapolis

Indianapolis · Couple

$4,262

Detroit · Couple

$4,346

Detroit is $84 (2%) higher than Indianapolis

Indianapolis · Family

$6,776

Detroit · Family

$6,789

Detroit is $13 (0%) higher than Indianapolis

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Indianapolis and Detroit.

Is Indianapolis or Detroit more expensive?

Detroit is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,076/mo in Indianapolis, Indiana and $3,088/mo in Detroit, Michigan, a difference of about 0%.

What is the rent difference between Indianapolis and Detroit?

Average one-bedroom rent in Indianapolis, Indiana is $1,097/mo versus $1,090/mo in Detroit, Michigan. Indianapolis is approximately $7 (1%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Indianapolis or Detroit?

Indianapolis has the higher average household income. Indianapolis households earn approximately $63,450 per year; Detroit households earn approximately $59,521 per year.

More on Indianapolis and Detroit

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

Indianapolis profile Detroit 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.