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Cost of Living: Denver, CO vs Indianapolis, IN

A data-driven comparison of housing, groceries, transportation, taxes, job market and more. See which city gives you more for your money.

18.8% Indianapolis, IN is cheaper overall
39.4% 39.4% cheaper housing
5.9% 5.9% cheaper groceries
Updated April 2026 · Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau National average = 100

At a Glance

🏠 Housing 39.4% cheaper
Denver
132
Indianapolis
80
🛒 Groceries 5.9% cheaper
Denver
101
Indianapolis
95
🚗 Transportation 6.7% cheaper
Denver
105
Indianapolis
98
🏥 Healthcare 7.7% cheaper
Denver
104
Indianapolis
96
⚡ Utilities ~Same
Denver
96
Indianapolis
97

Detailed Breakdown

Category Denver, CO Indianapolis, IN Difference
Overall Cost Index1129118.8% less
Housing1328039.4% less
Median 1BR Rent$1,620$1,05035.2% less
Median Home Price$540,000$230,00057.4% less
Groceries101955.9% less
Transportation105986.7% less
Healthcare104967.7% less
Utilities9697~Same

Tax Comparison

Tax Type Denver, CO Indianapolis, IN
State Income Tax4.40%3.05%
State Sales Tax2.90%7.00%
Avg Property Tax Rate0.49%0.75%
Estate / Inheritance TaxNoneNone

What You'd Need to Earn

Denver, CO
$82,000
Median household income
Indianapolis, IN
$60,000
Median household income
⚠️ Heads up: Indianapolis costs more but median income is lower. You may need to earn more to maintain the same standard of living.

Salary Equivalent Calculator

Find out what you'd need to earn in Indianapolis to maintain your Denver lifestyle.

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Based on overall cost index: Denver (112) vs Indianapolis (91). This is an estimate for comparison purposes.

Job Market Snapshot

Unemployment Rate
Denver3.5%
Indianapolis3.9%
Job Growth (YoY)
Denver3.6%
Indianapolis2.6%
Top Industries
DenverTech, Aerospace, Energy
IndianapolisPharma, Logistics, Motorsports

Quality of Life

Avg Commute
Denver27 min
Indianapolis24 min
Walk Score
Denver61
Indianapolis31
Air Quality (AQI)
Denver45
Indianapolis42
Avg Temperature
Denver51°F
Indianapolis53°F
Population
Denver713,252
Indianapolis887,642

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Planning Your Move?

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🏠 Find ApartmentsBrowse rentals in Denver and Indianapolis → 🚚 Get Moving QuotesCompare prices from top movers → 📈 Check Home ValuesSee real estate trends in both cities → 💼 Search JobsFind open positions in Indianapolis →

Compare Other Cities

Denver vs Austin → Denver vs Nashville → Denver vs Raleigh → Indianapolis vs Portland → Indianapolis vs Phoenix → Indianapolis vs Chicago →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Denver or Indianapolis cheaper to live in?+
Indianapolis is the more affordable option overall. The biggest difference is in housing costs, where the gap is about 39.4%. Day-to-day expenses like groceries and transportation are closer between the two cities.
How much is rent in Denver vs Indianapolis?+
A typical one-bedroom apartment costs around $1,620/month in Denver and $1,050/month in Indianapolis — a difference of about $570 per month.
Which city has lower taxes, Denver or Indianapolis?+
Colorado has a state income tax of 4.40% and sales tax of 2.90%. Indiana has a state income tax of 3.05% and sales tax of 7.00%. Consider all tax types together when evaluating total tax burden, as states with no income tax often compensate with higher sales or property taxes.
Can I afford to move from Denver to Indianapolis?+
Median household income in Denver is $82,000 compared to $60,000 in Indianapolis. Use the salary calculator above to see what you'd need to earn to maintain your current standard of living.
What about buying a home in Denver vs Indianapolis?+
The median home price in Denver is $540,000 versus $230,000 in Indianapolis — a difference of $310,000. Property tax rates also differ: Colorado averages 0.49% while Indiana averages 0.75%.