Signals
Indianapolis
Columbus
Opportunity
70 · Top 19%
vs79 · Top 10%
Climate
67 · Bottom 40%
vs68 · Bottom 45%
Physical resilience
67 · Top 34%
vs77 · Top 21%
Housing affordability
89 · Top 11%
vs78 · Top 31%
Access
97 · Bottom 49%
vs99 · Top 22%
Economic stability
53 · Bottom 48%
vs54 · Bottom 49%
Measured values
| Metric | Indianapolis | Columbus | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 885,860 | 914,802 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $66,219 | $66,082 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $37,680 | $37,860 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 2,454/sq mi | 4,129/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $224,800 | $252,900 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $1,156 | $1,295 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 56.0% | 44.1% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Unemployment rate | 3.7% | 3.4% | June 2026 |
| Employment change (year over year) | -0.7% | 0.1% | June 2026 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 34.9% | 38.2% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 15.8% | 18.1% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Average July high | 85°F | 85°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 21°F | 22°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 43.6" | 41.6" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 9 mi | 5 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 26.1 min | 23.1 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 34.3 | 33.2 | 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
Elevated or high exposure: earthquake.
Columbus
No hazard reaches elevated exposure.
Your best match
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Indianapolis
74
Your Score
—
Area Score
Columbus
74
Your Score
76
Area Score
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Full profiles: Indianapolis, IN · Columbus, OH · How this is calculated: methodology