Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Downey, CA
VS
Indianapolis, IN
🏆 Indianapolis leads 13 of 22 categories
Downey
California
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
115.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$84,236 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
121⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
113,052
Indianapolis
Indiana
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
94.6 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$59,110
Violent Crime Index
231⚠ High
Population
882,006 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Downey, CA
Pros
48% less violent crime than Indianapolis
Households earn $25,126 more per year on average
Milder winters — January highs near 67°F vs 34°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $679,000
Higher rents — median is $1,814/mo
Violent crime (460.5/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Cost of living runs 21% higher than Indianapolis
Indianapolis, IN
Pros
Homes cost $494k less ($184,600 vs $679,000)
Rent averages $768/mo less ($1,046 vs $1,814)
21% cheaper overall cost of living than Downey
Commutes run 7 min shorter each way
More college-educated — 33.4% hold a bachelor's or higher
Living costs sit below the national average (index 94.6)
Cons
Median income trails Downey by $25,126/yr
Violent crime (877.9/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (3336.1/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Downey
Median Income
$25,126
$84,236 vs $59,110/yr
Downey
Violent Crime
48% lower
460.5 vs 877.9 per 100k
Indianapolis
Cost of Living
21% cheaper
COL index 94.6 vs 115.5 (100 = US avg)
Indianapolis
Median Home Value
$494k less
$184,600 vs $679,000
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Downey, CA | Indianapolis, IN |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 115.5⚠ High | 94.6 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $679,000⚠ High | $184,600 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,814⚠ High | $1,046 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $84,236 ✓ Higher | $59,110 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6%⚠ High | 5.6%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 31.3 min⚠ High | 24.0 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 7.2% | 10.3% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 123⚠ High ✓ Safer | 202⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 121⚠ High ✓ Safer | 231⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 126⚠ High ✓ Safer | 159⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (88) | B (102) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 23.7:1 | 12.3:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 25.2% | 33.4% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 80.2% | 87.2% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Downey Unified | Indianapolis Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 67.4°F ✓ Warmer | 34.2°F |
| Avg High — July | 81.4°F | 83.7°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 15.2" ✓ Drier | 41.2" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 25.5" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 113,052 | 882,006 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 36.5 ✓ Older | 34.3 |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.4% | 54.9% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 22.6% | 24.5% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 13.2% ✓ More | 12.8% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Downey's cost of living index is 115.5 vs Indianapolis's 94.6 (US average = 100).
Indianapolis is 21% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Indianapolis leads 13 of 22 categories. Downey wins 9 and Indianapolis wins 13. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Downey to Indianapolis or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($679,000 vs $184,600 median home), income ($84,236 vs $59,110), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Downey, CA and Indianapolis, IN are about 1,803 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.