Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood and Columbus receive effectively the same standardized Area Score. Which fits you better depends on which dimensions you weight — the differences below are where they actually diverge.
Signals
Measured values
| Metric | Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood | Columbus | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,130,055 | 2,175,788 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $79,852 | $81,945 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $43,743 | $44,770 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 521/sq mi | 454/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $265,900 | $300,800 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $1,191 | $1,274 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 66.8% | 61.3% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Unemployment rate | 3.4% | 3.3% | June 2026 |
| Employment change (year over year) | -0.7% | 0.1% | June 2026 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 38.5% | 39.8% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 10.7% | 12.3% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 12,830 | 13,239 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 6.0 | 6.1 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | 5.4% | -16.7% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 85°F | 85°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 21°F | 22°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 40.7" | 41.6" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 10 mi | 4 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 27.2 min | 25.3 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 36.9 | 36.7 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
A bolded value is the more favorable of the two where the metric has a clear direction. Metrics like population and density have no inherent better or worse and are shown unweighted.
Physical risk tradeoff
Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood
Elevated or high exposure: tornado, earthquake.
Columbus
No hazard reaches elevated exposure.
Your best match
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Full profiles: Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN Metro Area · Columbus, OH Metro Area · How this is calculated: methodology