CostIndexUSA

Erie, PA vs Indianapolis, IN Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordablePA
Erie
91
overall index
$1,075/mo rent
IN
Indianapolis
95.7
overall index
$1,500/mo rent

Erie is moderately cheaper than Indianapolis — 5.2% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Erie, you would need $84,100 in Indianapolis. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing+56.5%
Erie
56.8
Indianapolis
88.9
🛒 Groceries6.4%
Erie
100.7
Indianapolis
94.3
🚗 Transportation+1.5%
Erie
102.6
Indianapolis
104.1
🏥 Healthcare+1.5%
Erie
92.8
Indianapolis
94.2
Utilities19.1%
Erie
106.8
Indianapolis
86.4

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Erie to see what you'd need to earn in Indianapolis to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Indianapolis, IN
$84,100
$4,100 more needed in Indianapolis

Formula: salary × (95.7 ÷ 91) = salary × 1.0516. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Erie, PA

Median Home Price
$209,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,075
Housing Index
56.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.2×

Indianapolis, IN

Median Home Price
$283,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,500
Housing Index
88.9
Price-to-Rent Ratio
15.7×

Indianapolis has 56.5% higher housing costs compared to Erie.

Income & Job Market

Erie, PA

Median Household Income
$60,700
Per Capita Income
$34,600
Unemployment Rate
3.8%
Population
94,831
Top Industries
ManufacturingHealthcareEducationTechnologyRetail

Indianapolis, IN

Median Household Income
$77,900
Per Capita Income
$44,400
Unemployment Rate
3.4%
Population
887,642
Top Industries
HealthcareManufacturingFinanceLogisticsSports

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Erie, PA
4.7×income-to-rent ratio

79% of income left after rent (median)

Indianapolis, IN
4.3×income-to-rent ratio

77% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.