Median rent is 11% lower in Indianapolis ($1,156/mo vs $1,295/mo). Buying is cheaper in Indianapolis, where the median home runs $224,800 versus $252,900. Households earn more in Indianapolis ($66,219 vs $66,082 a year). Taken together, Columbus is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 94.6 against 94.7 — about 0% lower overall prices.
City A
Columbus, OH
City B
Indianapolis, IN
How much would you need to earn in Indianapolis, IN to maintain your standard of living from Columbus, OH?
Equivalent salary in Indianapolis, IN
$75,016
You'd need $16 more (0% higher).
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each city's metro area. A rough estimate of overall purchasing power, not tax or take-home pay.
Metric
Columbus
Ohio
Indianapolis
Indiana
👥Population
💰Median Household Income
Annual
🏠Median Gross Rent
Per month
🏡Median Home Value
📊Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
🔑1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🌬️Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
🏛️Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
🧾State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
🎂Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rent is modestly lower in Indianapolis at $1,156/mo compared to $1,295/mo in Columbus (11% gap). Median home values are within 11% of each other: $252,900 in Columbus and $224,800 in Indianapolis.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Columbus
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Indianapolis
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Columbus has cleaner air on average: 22.0 AQI (Good) compared to 48.0 AQI (Good) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Indianapolis if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,156/mo median).
Pick Columbus if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 22.0).
Is Columbus cheaper than Indianapolis?
Columbus is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 94.6 versus 94.7 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 0% lower in Columbus.
How much is rent in Columbus vs Indianapolis?
Median rent is $1,295/mo in Columbus, OH and $1,156/mo in Indianapolis, IN. Indianapolis, IN has the lower rent by about 11%.
Which has higher salaries — Columbus or Indianapolis?
Median household income is $66,082 in Columbus, OH and $66,219 in Indianapolis, IN. Indianapolis, IN has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Columbus, OH has better air quality on average: 22.0 AQI versus 48.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Columbus or Indianapolis?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Indianapolis to match my Columbus income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Columbus, OH is equivalent to roughly $100,021 in Indianapolis, IN (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: December 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
