Median rent is 37% lower in Indianapolis ($1,156/mo vs $1,824/mo). Buying is cheaper in Indianapolis, where the median home runs $224,800 versus $484,900. Households earn more in Henderson ($90,138 vs $66,219 a year). Taken together, Indianapolis is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 94.7 against 98.3 — about 4% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Henderson, NV.
Cost of living verdict
Indianapolis is 4% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 94.7 in Indianapolis vs 98.3 in Henderson (US national average = 100)
City A
Henderson, NV
City B
Indianapolis, IN
How much would you need to earn in Indianapolis, IN to maintain your standard of living from Henderson, NV?
Equivalent salary in Indianapolis, IN
$72,225
You could earn $2,775 less (4% lower) and break even.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each metro area. This estimates overall purchasing power; it does not account for taxes or take-home pay differences.
Metric
Henderson
Nevada
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: Census ACS, BEA, HUD Fair Market Rents, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Renters will find significantly cheaper housing in Indianapolis — median rent of $1,156/mo versus $1,824/mo in Henderson, a 37% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Henderson: the median home is $484,900 versus $224,800 in Indianapolis — 54% more expensive.
Metric
Henderson
Indianapolis
Software Developer
Registered Nurse
Elementary Teacher
Electrician
Accountant
Higher wage highlighted · BLS OEWS 2023 (metro-level data)
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Henderson
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Indianapolis
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Henderson has cleaner air on average: 20.0 AQI (Good) compared to 48.0 AQI (Good) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Indianapolis if you prioritize lower overall cost of living (index 94.7 vs 98.3).
Pick Henderson if you prioritize higher median household income ($90,138/yr).
Pick Indianapolis if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,156/mo median).
Pick Henderson if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 20.0).
Indianapolis is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 94.7 versus 98.3 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 4% lower in Indianapolis.
Median rent is $1,824/mo in Henderson, NV and $1,156/mo in Indianapolis, IN. Indianapolis, IN has the lower rent by about 37%.
Median household income is $90,138 in Henderson, NV and $66,219 in Indianapolis, IN. Henderson, NV has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Henderson, NV has better air quality on average: 20.0 AQI versus 48.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Henderson, NV is equivalent to roughly $96,301 in Indianapolis, IN (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: June 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
