

Detroit, MI vs Indianapolis, IN
Indianapolis, IN comes out ahead of Detroit, MI on 34 of 46 statistics where one end is better, to 12. Indianapolis, IN leads on Crime & Safety and Economics.
46 statistics with a better end, compared
Each counts once for the place that ranks better. Totals that mostly track population are left out.
- Wins
- 12
- Avg. percentile
- 27
- Categories led
- 0
- Wins
- 34
- Avg. percentile
- 46
- Categories led
- 2
At a glance
Headline statistics, each ranked among all US cities.
| Statistic | Detroit, MI | Indianapolis, IN |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 650,499 25th of 477 | 904,128 16th of 477 |
| Median Household IncomeHousing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | $39,938 426th of 434 | $66,219 260th of 434 |
| Median Home Value (Capped at $2M)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | $83,900 3rd of 434 | $224,800 119th of 434 |
| Poverty Rate (%)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | 32.7% 428th of 434 | 15.8% 257th of 434 |
| Price Level (All Items)Cost of Living by City (Metro Price Parities) | 100.3 tied 256th of 460 | 95.7 173rd of 460 |
| Average Annual Wage, All JobsAverage Wage by City (Metro Area, BLS) | $69,210 tied 175th of 460 | $65,180 232nd of 460 |
| Median Rent (Monthly, Capped at $3,501)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | $1,074 109th of 434 | $1,156 151st of 434 |
| Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)Crime Rates by City (FBI) | 1,649.1 393rd of 395 | 577.0 285th of 395 |
By category
Average percentile on each category's widely ranked statistics.
- Crime & SafetyIndianapolis, IN · 5 statistics
- EconomicsIndianapolis, IN · 14 statistics
Biggest differences
The 19 statistics where their rankings differ most, among rankings of at least 239 US cities.
| Statistic | Detroit, MI | Indianapolis, IN |
|---|---|---|
| Price Level (Utilities)Cost of Living by City (Metro Price Parities) | 107.0 tied 343rd of 460 | 86.4 111th of 460 |
| Bachelor’s Degree or Higher (% of Adults 25+)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | 18.1% 400th of 434 | 34.9% 205th of 434 |
| Homes with Broadband Internet (%)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | 85.7% 397th of 434 | 91.8% 206th of 434 |
| Price Level (Goods)Cost of Living by City (Metro Price Parities) | 98.8 tied 277th of 460 | 94.3 tied 90th of 460 |
| Poverty Rate (%)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | 32.7% 428th of 434 | 15.8% 257th of 434 |
| Median Household IncomeHousing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | $39,938 426th of 434 | $66,219 260th of 434 |
| Property Crime Rate (per 100K)Crime Rates by City (FBI) | 3,882.2 362nd of 395 | 2,057.9 227th of 395 |
| Price Level (Other Services)Cost of Living by City (Metro Price Parities) | 102.6 tied 381st of 460 | 99.1 tied 224th of 460 |
| Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)Crime Rates by City (FBI) | 1,649.1 393rd of 395 | 577.0 285th of 395 |
| Median Home Value (Capped at $2M)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | $83,900 3rd of 434 | $224,800 119th of 434 |
| Burglary Rate (per 100K)Crime Rates by City (FBI) | 630.2 375th of 395 | 299.8 270th of 395 |
| Median Annual Wage, All JobsAverage Wage by City (Metro Area, BLS) | $52,080 tied 138th of 460 | $49,340 247th of 460 |
| Price Level (All Items)Cost of Living by City (Metro Price Parities) | 100.3 tied 256th of 460 | 95.7 173rd of 460 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate (per 100K)Crime Rates by City (FBI) | 971.1 389th of 395 | 398.1 319th of 395 |
| Average Annual Wage, All JobsAverage Wage by City (Metro Area, BLS) | $69,210 tied 175th of 460 | $65,180 232nd of 460 |
| Murder Rate (per 100K)Crime Rates by City (FBI) | 25.7 384th of 395 | 11.5 343rd of 395 |
| Median Rent (Monthly, Capped at $3,501)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | $1,074 109th of 434 | $1,156 151st of 434 |
| Price Level (Housing Rents)Cost of Living by City (Metro Price Parities) | 94.7 tied 196th of 460 | 88.9 177th of 460 |
| Average Commute (Minutes)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | 24.8 283rd of 434 | 24.6 272nd of 434 |
Quick answers
- Which is better, Detroit, MI or Indianapolis, IN?
- Indianapolis, IN comes out ahead of Detroit, MI on 34 of 46 statistics where one end is better, to 12. Indianapolis, IN leads on Crime & Safety and Economics. Statistics where neither end is better, and totals that mostly track population, are not counted.
- Which has more people, Detroit, MI or Indianapolis, IN?
- Detroit, MI has a population of 650,499 (25th of 477 US cities) and Indianapolis, IN has 904,128 (16th of 477).
- How do Detroit, MI and Indianapolis, IN compare on Median Household Income?
- Median Household Income: Detroit, MI $39,938 (426th of 434), Indianapolis, IN $66,219 (260th of 434) among US cities. Indianapolis, IN ranks better.
- How do Detroit, MI and Indianapolis, IN compare on Median Home Value (Capped at $2M)?
- Median Home Value (Capped at $2M): Detroit, MI $83,900 (3rd of 434), Indianapolis, IN $224,800 (119th of 434) among US cities. Detroit, MI ranks better.
- Where does Detroit, MI beat Indianapolis, IN most clearly?
- Detroit, MI ranks far ahead on Median Home Value (Capped at $2M) (Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census)): $83,900 vs $224,800; Median Annual Wage, All Jobs (Average Wage by City (Metro Area, BLS)): $52,080 vs $49,340; Average Annual Wage, All Jobs (Average Wage by City (Metro Area, BLS)): $69,210 vs $65,180.
- Where does Indianapolis, IN beat Detroit, MI most clearly?
- Indianapolis, IN ranks far ahead on Price Level (Utilities) (Cost of Living by City (Metro Price Parities)): 86.4 vs 107.0; Bachelor’s Degree or Higher (% of Adults 25+) (Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census)): 34.9% vs 18.1%; Homes with Broadband Internet (%) (Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census)): 91.8% vs 85.7%.
More matchups
Other comparisons with Detroit, MI or Indianapolis, IN.
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