Indianapolis, IN vs Lancaster, CA
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Indianapolis
73.5
#722 nationally
Lancaster
61.5
#1905 nationally
Indianapolis leads in cost of living index (89 vs 126). Lancaster leads in median household income ($71,367 vs $54,321). Indianapolis leads in average commute (24.1 min vs 30.9 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Lancaster, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 73.5 (#722) | 61.5 (#1905) |
| Population | 887,642 | 166,236 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $232,142 | $465,459 |
| Median Household Income | $54,321 | $71,367 |
| Average Commute | 24.1 min | 30.9 min |
| Walk Score | 31 | 29 |
| Crime Level | Moderate-High | 22.9 |
| School Rating | 5.8 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 89 | 126 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+27.7 | D+32.9 |
C
73.5 Score
Indianapolis, IN
The Crossroads of America
Median Home
$232,142
Population
887,642
Crime
Moderate-High
Schools
C+
Midwest
View Indianapolis, IN →
D-
61.5 Score
Lancaster, CA
Mid-size California city with community character
Median Home
$465,459
Population
166,236
Crime
High
Walk Score
29
Pacific
View Lancaster, CA →
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