CostIndexUSA

Indianapolis, IN vs Tempe, AZ Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableIN
Indianapolis
95.7
overall index
$1,500/mo rent
AZ
Tempe
103.3
overall index
$1,725/mo rent

Indianapolis is moderately cheaper than Tempe — 7.9% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Indianapolis, you would need $86,400 in Tempe. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+36.3%
Indianapolis
88.9
Tempe
121.2
🛒 Groceries+0.7%
Indianapolis
94.3
Tempe
95
🚗 Transportation+4.9%
Indianapolis
104.1
Tempe
109.2
🏥 Healthcare+4.9%
Indianapolis
94.2
Tempe
98.8
Utilities+8.0%
Indianapolis
86.4
Tempe
93.3

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Tempe, AZ
$86,400
$6,400 more needed in Tempe

Formula: salary × (103.3 ÷ 95.7) = salary × 1.0794. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Indianapolis, IN

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

Tempe, AZ

Median Home Price
$442,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,725
Housing Index
121.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
21.4×

Tempe has 36.3% higher housing costs compared to Indianapolis.

Income & Job Market

Indianapolis, IN

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

Tempe, AZ

Median Household Income
$85,700
Per Capita Income
$48,800
Unemployment Rate
3.8%
Population
185,038
Top Industries
TechnologyEducationHealthcareRetailFinance

Affordability at a Glance

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

Indianapolis, IN
4.3×income-to-rent ratio

77% of income left after rent (median)

Tempe, AZ
4.1×income-to-rent ratio

76% 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.