Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
Indianapolis and Tucson have very similar costs of living, with less than a 3% difference overall.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: Indiana salaries · Arizona salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Indianapolis has a housing index of 80 while Tucson sits at 83 (national average = 100). The median home in Indianapolis costs $220,000 compared to $265,000 in Tucson, a difference of $45,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,100 in Indianapolis versus $1,100 in Tucson.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Indianapolis scores 98 while Tucson scores 98. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in Indianapolis (96) are higher than Tucson (93). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Indianapolis is $49,968 compared to $43,425 in Tucson. When adjusted for cost of living, purchasing power is similar in both cities.
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