Median rent is 13% lower in Indianapolis ($1,156/mo vs $1,324/mo). Buying is cheaper in Indianapolis, where the median home runs $224,800 versus $235,700. Households earn more in Indianapolis ($66,219 vs $65,056 a year). Taken together, San Antonio is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 94.3 against 94.7 — about 0% lower overall prices.
City A
Indianapolis, IN
City B
San Antonio, TX
How much would you need to earn in San Antonio, TX to maintain your standard of living from Indianapolis, IN?
Equivalent salary in San Antonio, TX
$74,745
You could earn $255 less (0% 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
Indianapolis
Indiana
San Antonio
Texas
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
Median rent is modestly lower in Indianapolis at $1,156/mo compared to $1,324/mo in San Antonio (13% gap). Median home values are within 5% of each other: $224,800 in Indianapolis and $235,700 in San Antonio.
Metric
Indianapolis
San Antonio
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.
Indianapolis
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
San Antonio
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Indianapolis has cleaner air on average: 48.0 AQI (Good) compared to 71.0 AQI (Moderate) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Indianapolis if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,156/mo median).
Pick Indianapolis if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 48.0).
San Antonio is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 94.3 versus 94.7 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 0% lower in San Antonio.
Median rent is $1,156/mo in Indianapolis, IN and $1,324/mo in San Antonio, TX. Indianapolis, IN has the lower rent by about 13%.
Median household income is $66,219 in Indianapolis, IN and $65,056 in San Antonio, TX. Indianapolis, IN has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Indianapolis, IN has better air quality on average: 48.0 AQI versus 71.0 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 Indianapolis, IN is equivalent to roughly $99,660 in San Antonio, TX (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
