CostIndexUSA

Ann Arbor, MI vs Indianapolis, IN Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

MI
Ann Arbor
100.9
overall index
$2,050/mo rent
More AffordableIN
Indianapolis
95.7
overall index
$1,500/mo rent

Indianapolis is moderately cheaper than Ann Arbor — 5.2% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Ann Arbor, you would need $75,900 in Indianapolis. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing29.1%
Ann Arbor
125.3
Indianapolis
88.9
🛒 Groceries+0.6%
Ann Arbor
93.7
Indianapolis
94.3
🚗 Transportation≈ Equal
Ann Arbor
104.5
Indianapolis
104.1
🏥 Healthcare≈ Equal
Ann Arbor
94.6
Indianapolis
94.2
Utilities12.0%
Ann Arbor
98.2
Indianapolis
86.4

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Ann Arbor to see what you'd need to earn in Indianapolis to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Indianapolis, IN
$75,900
$4,100 less needed in Indianapolis

Formula: salary × (95.7 ÷ 100.9) = salary × 0.9485. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Ann Arbor, MI

Median Home Price
$398,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,050
Housing Index
125.3
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.2×

Indianapolis, IN

Median Home Price
$283,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,500
Housing Index
88.9
Price-to-Rent Ratio
15.7×

Ann Arbor has 29.1% lower housing costs compared to Indianapolis.

Income & Job Market

Ann Arbor, MI

Median Household Income
$83,800
Per Capita Income
$47,800
Unemployment Rate
3.3%
Population
123,851
Top Industries
EducationTechnologyHealthcareManufacturingResearch

Indianapolis, IN

Median Household Income
$77,900
Per Capita Income
$44,400
Unemployment Rate
3.4%
Population
887,642
Top Industries
HealthcareManufacturingFinanceLogisticsSports

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Ann Arbor, MI
3.4×income-to-rent ratio

71% of income left after rent (median)

Indianapolis, IN
4.3×income-to-rent ratio

77% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.