City comparison
Yes. Austin's crime index is 162 versus 216 in Indianapolis, and its violent crime index is 130 versus 246, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Indianapolis is cheaper. Median rent is $1,156 a month versus $1,729 in Austin.
The income gap between Austin and Indianapolis is significant: $93,658 median household versus $66,219. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $1,729 in Austin and $1,156 in Indianapolis.
Austin is not a close call here. It leads on the job market, safety, and weather by margins that add up in daily life. Indianapolis makes sense if you have a specific reason, a job offer, family, or a neighborhood you already know, but on the numbers alone Austin is the stronger move.
The rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. Indianapolis at $1,156 average has pockets that run $956 and others at $1,556: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Austin and Indianapolis are 926 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,729 a month in Austin to $1,156 a month in Indianapolis, down $573 a month (33%).
Median household income goes from $93,658 in Austin to $66,219 in Indianapolis, down $27,439 (29%).
The crime index goes from 162 in Austin to 216 in Indianapolis, up 54 points (33%).
The move
Indianapolis and Austin are 926 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,156 a month in Indianapolis to $1,729 a month in Austin, up $573 a month (50%).
Median household income goes from $66,219 in Indianapolis to $93,658 in Austin, up $27,439 (41%).
The crime index goes from 216 in Indianapolis to 162 in Austin, down 54 points (25%).
Austin, TX
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Indianapolis, IN
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Austin and Indianapolis? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
33% cheaper
Indianapolis rent is 33% cheaper than Austin
Austin
$1,729/mo
Indianapolis
Winner$1,156/mo
Typical rent runs $1,156 a month in Indianapolis versus $1,729 in Austin, so Indianapolis is 33% cheaper. That's roughly $573/month back in your pocket ($6,876/year). Over five years that's $34,380 you could redirect toward a down payment, travel, or investments. Housing is the bill you pay before groceries, childcare, or a social life, so that gap shows up in how often you eat out and how panicked a rent hike feels. If you already have a high-paying offer in Austin, the extra rent can be rational. If you do not, Indianapolis is the easier city to land in without blowing up your budget.
Planning to buy in Austin? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
41% higher
Austin's median income is 41% higher than Indianapolis
Austin
Winner$93,658
Indianapolis
$66,219
Median household income is $93,658 in Austin versus $66,219 in Indianapolis, so typical pay runs 41% higher in Austin (about $27,439 more household income a year). Higher median income usually signals a stronger local job market and better negotiating leverage on salary. Remote workers should weigh this against cost of living rather than treating it as a direct personal benefit. For people who will actually work in town, Austin is the stronger labor market on paper. Indianapolis can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
25% lower crime
Austin's crime index is 25% lower than Indianapolis
Austin
Winner162 (100 = avg)
Indianapolis
216 (100 = avg)
Austin's crime index is 162 versus 216 in Indianapolis (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 25% lower in Austin. That gap is meaningful day-to-day. It affects whether you feel comfortable walking at night, leaving your car on the street, or letting kids play outside unsupervised. Indexes still compress a lot of reality: a calmer city has blocks you would skip, and a higher-crime city has streets that feel neighborly at 10 p.m. On the everyday test of walking from the car to the door, Austin is the easier city. Indianapolis can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
16% more comfortable
Austin weather is 16% more comfortable than Indianapolis
Austin
Winner76°F avg · 85°F highs · comfort 100/100
Indianapolis
60°F avg · 68°F highs · comfort 86/100
Austin averages about 76°F (85°F highs); Indianapolis averages about 60°F (68°F highs). Austin sits near 76°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Indianapolis averages around 60°F. Austin scores 16% closer to the 65-80°F comfort band on this page, so it is the easier default for year-round outdoor errands and evenings. Choose Indianapolis if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside plus year-round outdoor access
It is also a match for career-focused movers who want salary upside and year-round outdoor access. Median household income runs 41% higher ($93,658), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 76°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Austin is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 25% lower than Indianapolis (162 vs a 100 national average). That gap shows up in how freely you walk at night and how much attention you spend on the car and the deadbolt.
Fit check
People with a job, family, or neighborhood already pulling them to Indianapolis
Indianapolis is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 33% cheaper here at about $1,156 a month. Choose Indianapolis if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Bottom line
Austin runs $1,729/month while Indianapolis sits at $1,156 — roughly 33% lower on typical leases. Unless your offer letter is Austin-sized, that monthly gap compounds fast.
Indianapolis rent at $1,156/month is still below Austin's $1,729, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Safety scores read 45/100 in Austin and 37/100 in Indianapolis.
Most movers who prioritize housing cost land in Indianapolis; Austin only makes sense when your offer letter is already written for Austin at $93,658 income.
Common questions
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Next steps
Quotes and listings for Austin when you're ready to act.
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Austin and Indianapolis, plus other cities in TX and IN.
