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Indianapolis vs Houston

Cost of living comparison — C2ER 2024-2025 data

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Houston is 6% more expensive than Indianapolis overall.Indianapolis has a cost of living index of 90 vs Houston at 95 (national average = 100). The biggest difference is housing Houston costs 17% less.

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Indianapolis
IN
90
COLI index
VS
Houston
TX
95
COLI index

Category Breakdown

CategoryIndianapolisHoustonDifference
Overall COLI9095+6%
Housing90105+17%
Groceries100103+3%
Transport101104+3%
Healthcare101101Same
Utilities104112+8%

Median 1BR Rent

Indianapolis
$1,100/mo
Houston
$1,350/mo

Median Home Price

Indianapolis
$220,000
Houston
$265,000

Median Household Income

Indianapolis
$54,261
Houston
$56,019

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Frequently Asked Questions

Indianapolis is cheaper to live in overall. Indianapolis has a cost of living index of 90 while Houston has an index of 95, where 100 represents the US national average. Houston is 6% more expensive than Indianapolis overall.

The median 1-bedroom rent in Indianapolis is $1,100 per month compared to $1,350 in Houston. The median home price in Indianapolis is $220,000 versus $265,000 in Houston. Housing is typically the largest factor in cost of living differences between cities.

Indianapolis has a cost of living index of 90 and Houston has an index of 95, both measured against a US national average of 100. An index above 100 means more expensive than the national average — below 100 means cheaper.

To maintain the same purchasing power as a salary in Indianapolis, multiply by 1.06. For example a $75,000 salary in Indianapolis is equivalent to approximately $79,167 in Houston.

Indianapolis has a median household income of $54,261 per year versus $56,019 in Houston. Higher incomes must be weighed against cost of living. Use the Dayblip salary tools to see specific job salaries in both cities.

Whether moving from Indianapolis to Houston is worthwhile depends on your salary, lifestyle, and priorities. Houston is 6% more expensive overall — with the biggest difference in housing. Use the Dayblip cost of living calculator to enter your specific salary and see the exact dollar impact.

Last updated: June 2026

Methodology: Cost of living indices from C2ER Cost of Living Index 2024-2025. Rent data from Zillow December 2024. Home price data from Zillow Home Value Index December 2024. Household income from US Census Bureau ACS 2023. National average COLI = 100. Data updated annually.