Indianapolis, IN, and Arlington, VA, both offer unique qualities and attractions that make them desired locations. Indianapolis, known as the "Crossroads of America," is a hotspot for sports enthusiasts, while Arlington is lauded for its rich historical landmarks and proximity to Washington D.C. The differences span across crime rates, living costs, education, work opportunities, culture, and more. This comparison will aid those considering a move to either city or simply planning a visit.
Distance between
Indianapolis, IN and
Arlington, VA : 486.9 miles
Indianapolis's population is larger by 279%. Its population has grown by 100,169 people (12.8%) since 2000. The population of Arlington has grown by 43,512 people (23.0%) during that time.
Living in Indianapolis is generally considered less safe than Arlington. According to FBI crime data, Indianapolis's crime rate stands higher than the national average. On the other hand, Arlington is often ranked among the safest cities in the nation. A relatively low crime rate and vigilant police force provide a sense of safety for residents and tourists alike.
Cost of Living
Indianapolis's cost of living is significantly lower than Arlington's. Housing is notably more affordable in Indianapolis, making it a more attractive option for home buyers. Arlington, being part of the Washington DC metropolitan area, has a higher cost of living, with housing being the biggest factor.
Income Tax
In Indiana, the top income tax rate is flat at 3.23%, plus a county tax of up to 3.38% in Indianapolis. Virginia has a progressive income tax, with rates from 2% to 5.75%. Arlington County does not impose an additional income tax.
Property Tax
Homeowners in Indianapolis pay a lower property tax rate compared to Arlington. The average rate in Indianapolis is around 0.85%, while in Arlington, it's about 1.026%.
Sales Tax
Indianapolis residents face a state sales tax of 7%, with no additional local sales tax. In Arlington, the combined sales tax rate is 6%—5.3% state sales tax and 0.7% Arlington tax.
Income
Type
Indianapolis
Arlington
Estimated median household income
$58,479
$125,651
Estimated per capita income
$32,792
$80,996
Cost of living index (U.S. average is 100)
87.7
171.8
If you make $50,000 in Indianapolis, you will have to make $97,948 in Arlington to maintain the same standard of living.
Geographical Conditions
Indianapolis is located in the Midwest, with a landscape dominated by farmland, forest, and small hills. Arlington, located on the Potomac River's west bank, offers rolling hills and green space links to numerous national parks.
Indianapolis public schools serve over 30,000 students across 70 schools, with additional charter and private school options. When it comes to higher education, It's home to reputable institutions like Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis. Arlington, on the other hand, has a strong reputation for education, with renowned high-performing schools and proximity to prestigious universities like Georgetown University and George Washington University.
Indianapolis has a robust economy, with a focus on manufacturing, health care, and education. Arlington boasts a stronger job market due to its proximity to Washington, D.C, offering a diverse mix of governmental, technology, and service jobs. The federal government is a significant employer in Arlington.
Biggest Employers
In Indianapolis, some of the biggest employers include IU Health, St. Vincent, and Eli Lilly and Co. In Arlington, top employers comprise the Department of Defense, Arlington County, and Deloitte.
In Indianapolis (Marion County), 60.1% voted for Democrats and 37.9% for Republicans in 2012 Presidential Election. In Arlington (Arlington County), 69.3% voted for Democrats and 29.4% for Republicans.
Elections
Type
Democrats
Republicans
Other
Year
Indianapolis
Arlington
Indianapolis
Arlington
Indianapolis
Arlington
2020
63.7%
80.6%
34.5%
17.1%
1.9%
2.3%
2016
58.2%
75.8%
35.6%
16.6%
6.2%
7.5%
2012
60.1%
69.3%
37.9%
29.4%
2.0%
1.3%
2008
63.8%
71.8%
35.4%
27.2%
0.8%
1.0%
2004
50.6%
67.6%
48.7%
31.3%
0.7%
1.1%
2000
48.0%
60.4%
49.3%
34.3%
2.8%
5.3%
1996
44.6%
60.5%
47.8%
34.6%
7.7%
4.9%
Breakdown of population affiliated with a religious congregation
Type
Adherents
Congregations
Religion
Indianapolis
Arlington
Indianapolis
Arlington
CATHOLIC CHURCH
11.1%
14.6%
4.6%
6.2%
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
1.6%
1.3%
5.7%
16.8%
AMERICAN BAPTIST CHURCHES IN THE USA
1.2%
0.5%
3.4%
2.7%
LUTHERAN CHURCH
0.8%
0.3%
1.5%
0.9%
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
0.5%
0.6%
1.6%
2.7%
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
0.5%
0.1%
1.6%
1.8%
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
0.4%
2.0%
1.1%
8.0%
MUSLIM ESTIMATE
0.3%
1.7%
1.1%
0.9%
Weather
Indianapolis experiences four distinct seasons with hot, humid summers, and sometimes severe winters. Spring and fall are generally mild and pleasing. Contrastingly, Arlington also has four seasons but with milder winters owing to its coastal location. It can be humid in summers, but winter temperatures are milder compared to Indianapolis.
Weather and climate
Type
Indianapolis
Arlington
Temperature - Average
52.1°F
56.6°F
Humidity - Average morning or afternoon humidity
77%
68.8%
Humidity - Differences between morning and afternoon humidity
31%
33%
Humidity - Maximum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
86%
81%
Humidity - Minimum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
55%
48%
Precipitation - Yearly average
40.6 in
43.4 in
Snowfall - Yearly average
51 in
32.4 in
Clouds - Number of days clear of clouds
14.7%
15.9%
Sunshine amount - Average
56.2%
61.5%
Sunshine amount - Differences during a year
33%
21%
Sunshine amount - Maximum monthly
65%
66%
Sunshine amount - Minimum monthly
32%
45%
Wind speed - Average
10.3 mph
9.7 mph
Average climate in Indianapolis, Indiana
Average climate in Arlington, Virginia
Air pollution
Type
AQI
CO
NO2
OZONE
PB
PM10
PM25
SO2
Year
Indianapolis
Arlington
Indianapolis
Arlington
Indianapolis
Arlington
Indianapolis
Arlington
Indianapolis
Arlington
Indianapolis
Arlington
Indianapolis
Arlington
Indianapolis
Arlington
2018
94
88
0.58
0.30
13.2
9.1
23.1
26.2
N/A
N/A
18.2
16.4
10.4
8.4
0.3
0.7
2017
87
84
0.82
0.25
12.4
9.5
23.0
27.7
N/A
N/A
17.6
16.5
10.1
9.0
0.4
0.7
2016
91
98
0.62
0.25
13.0
10.6
22.5
27.5
N/A
0.002
18.0
17.2
9.9
8.7
0.4
0.8
2015
89
91
0.73
0.34
14.9
10.9
22.9
26.7
N/A
0.002
19.7
17.0
9.9
9.5
1.1
1.1
2014
100
85
0.62
0.27
16.1
10.9
25.1
26.2
N/A
0.002
20.6
17.1
12.1
9.3
3.2
1.0
2013
94
90
0.69
0.33
11.5
10.9
26.3
26.6
N/A
0.002
19.9
17.3
12.8
10.1
2.6
0.8
2012
103
104
0.65
0.33
10.4
11.7
25.7
27.9
N/A
0.002
20.8
N/A
12.9
10.9
2.9
1.0
2011
105
105
0.68
0.18
11.3
12.3
22.9
28.4
N/A
0.002
N/A
N/A
16.3
11.0
2.4
1.5
2010
101
114
0.54
0.23
12.7
12.9
21.6
29.8
N/A
0.003
N/A
N/A
15.9
9.7
3.3
2.5
2009
97
90
0.73
0.24
11.4
12.7
23.2
24.7
N/A
0.002
N/A
N/A
13.8
8.1
1.9
2.7
2008
91
103
0.62
0.23
11.5
13.3
N/A
25.8
0.010
0.003
N/A
N/A
13.2
8.9
3.0
4.3
2007
103
113
0.69
0.28
13.1
15.6
N/A
27.7
0.011
0.004
N/A
N/A
14.9
10.4
3.6
4.5
2006
95
114
0.59
0.49
14.5
17.7
N/A
25.9
0.009
0.004
N/A
N/A
14.5
10.9
3.6
4.3
2005
121
105
0.65
0.30
15.2
21.0
N/A
23.6
0.014
0.006
N/A
N/A
18.0
11.7
4.3
5.7
2004
104
114
0.62
0.22
15.8
21.6
N/A
23.5
0.010
0.004
N/A
N/A
15.1
11.3
4.6
5.9
2003
113
108
0.67
0.36
16.6
26.0
N/A
21.7
0.010
N/A
N/A
N/A
15.8
12.2
4.2
6.1
2002
125
131
0.76
0.48
17.4
21.8
N/A
25.9
0.009
N/A
N/A
N/A
16.8
N/A
3.9
6.0
2001
105
111
0.81
0.43
16.6
22.1
N/A
24.1
0.031
0.017
N/A
N/A
16.3
N/A
3.8
7.2
2000
98
110
0.87
0.50
17.3
22.7
N/A
20.2
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
4.5
10.1
Natural disasters
Type
Indianapolis
Arlington
Tornado activity compared to U.S. average
226.7%
110%
Earthquake activity compared to U.S. average
179.6%
43.5%
Natural disasters compared to U.S. average
16%
14%
Transportation
In Indianapolis, most residents commute by car. The city has a bus system, but it's less extensive than Arlington, which boasts a robust public transportation system including the Metrorail and Metrobus systems, complemented by bike-sharing services.
Transport
Type
Indianapolis
Arlington
Amtrak stations
1
0
Amtrak stations nearby
1
3
FAA registered aircraft
739
103
FAA registered aircraft manufacturers and dealers
18
5
Means of transportation to work
Type
Indianapolis
Arlington
Bicycle
0.5%
0.8%
Bus
1.2%
3.6%
Carpooled
8.5%
6.5%
Car alone
87.3%
71.3%
Motorcycle
0%
0.1%
Railroad
0%
0.4%
Streetcar
0%
7.8%
Subway
0%
1.1%
Taxicab
0.1%
0.4%
Walked
1.6%
6%
Average travel time to work
Type
Indianapolis
Arlington
Average
28.1 min
34.8 min
Other means
22.5 min
25.7 min
Public transportation
40.2 min
36.7 min
Private vehicle occupancy
Type
Indianapolis
Arlington
Average
1.2
1.1
Drove alone
88.2%
92.8%
In 2 person carpool
9.4%
6.3%
In 3 person carpool
1.3%
0.8%
In 4 person carpool
0.5%
0.1%
In 5-6 person carpool
0.4%
0%
In 7+ person carpool
0.1%
0%
How many people usually rode to work in the car, truck or van.
Real Estate
The real estate market in Indianapolis is considered more accessible due to lower home prices compared to Arlington. In contrast, Arlington's real estate market is highly competitive, with home prices significantly higher, due to the influx of high-income earners and its proximity to Washington, D.C.
Neighborhoods
Indianapolis is known for its diverse neighborhoods, offering a mix of urban and suburban living, with Broad Ripple Village and Meridian-Kessler being popular. Arlington is renowned for its high-end neighborhoods like Ballston and Clarendon, known for their walkability, shops, and dining options.
Houses and residents
Type
Indianapolis
Arlington
Houses
399,820
119,446
Average household size (people)
2.4
2.1
Median year apartment built
1977
1983
Median year house/condo built
1971
1959
Length of stay in the house since moving in
13 years
12.7 years
Houses occupied
358,150 (89.6%)
108,396 (90.7%)
Houses occupied by owners
201,149 (56.2%)
47,577 (43.9%)
Houses occupied by renters
157,001 (43.8%)
60,819 (56.1%)
Median rent asked for vacant for-rent units
$876.58
$3,620
Median monthly housing costs
$980
$2,164
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses and condos
$283,027
$891,291
Estimated median house or condo value
$188,700
$779,400
Median numbers of rooms
5.5
4.1
Median number of rooms in apartments
4.3
3.3
Median number of rooms in houses and condos
6.5
6.7
Median house price - detached houses
$231,490
Over $1,000,000
Median house price - in 2-unit structures
$257,253
$648,538
Median house price - in 3-to-4-unit structures
$240,688
$442,578
Median house price - in 5 or more unit structures
$247,275
$566,559
Median house price - Townhouses or other attached units
$222,424
$703,291
Median house price - All housing units
$229,666
$877,770
Median house age
48
47
Renting percentage
44.2%
56.7%
Housing density (houses/condos per square mile)
1,106.1
4,617.2
House value disparities
36.1%
24.9%
Household income disparities
44.4%
37.5%
Median household income for houses/condes with a mortgage
$86,008
$201,635
Median household income for apartments without a mortgage
$61,922
$133,857
Housing units without a mortgage
4,552 (3.2%)
596 (1.6%)
Housing units with both a second mortgage and home equity loan
9,787 (6.8%)
3,235 (8.9%)
Housing units with a mortgage
138,622 (96.8%)
35,674 (98.4%)
Housing units with a home equity loan
271 (0.2%)
101 (0.3%)
Housing units with a second mortgage
12,987 (9.1%)
4,221 (11.6%)
House/condo owner moved in on average (years ago)
11
10
House/condo renter moved in on average (years ago)
1
1
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities
3.4%
0.7%
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities
1.1%
0.2%
Housing units in structures
Housing units in structures
Indianapolis
Arlington
One, detached
59.0%
25.1%
One, attached
9.2%
9.6%
Two
2.5%
0.8%
3 or 4
6.2%
3.5%
5 to 9
7.7%
5.2%
10 to 19
6.3%
5.0%
20 to 49
3.1%
4.6%
50 or more
5.0%
46.1%
Mobile homes
1.0%
0.2%
Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units
Self-employed workers in own not incorporated business
17,131
6,119
State government workers
15,502
1,820
Unpaid family workers
1,601
32
Industries and Occupations
Key industries in Indianapolis include advanced manufacturing, health and life sciences, and logistics. The city accommodates many health and biotechnology firms. In Arlington, IT, government, and professional services dominate, supporting high-income jobs due to the presence of federal government offices and defense contractors.
Indianapolis boasts renowned healthcare facilities, including the highly ranked Indiana University Health Medical Center. Arlington benefits from being near top-rated hospitals in Washington, D.C., and it's home to the Virginia Hospital Center, a top-ranked facility in Virginia.
Indianapolis is known for its efficient road network, orienting towards the city center. It boasts an international airport and ample taxi services. On the other hand, Arlington's infrastructure is impressive with its high-speed Metrorail system, multiple bus services, biking trails, and proximity to major airports.
Infrastructure
Type
Indianapolis
Arlington
Hospitals
76
6
TV stations
19
25
Bank branches located here
259
82
Bank institutions located here
27
25
Main business address for public companies
28
17
Drinking water stations with no reported violations in the past
1
0
Drinking water stations with reported violations in the past
HMDA - Conventional home purchase loans - Applications denied
Year
Indianapolis
Arlington
1999
3,358
226
2000
3,562
196
2001
2,649
164
2002
1,915
146
2003
2,519
288
2004
3,702
461
2005
6,057
589
2006
5,811
563
2007
3,456
412
2008
1,247
272
2009
565
173
Culture and Food
Indianapolis is known for its burgeoning food scene, with a focus on farm-to-table dining, and its love for racing, evident in the iconic Indianapolis 500. Arlington offers a melting pot of cuisines, reflecting its diverse community. It's known for its historical sites and its urban village community design.
Sports Teams
Sports fans in Indianapolis enjoy watching the Indianapolis Colts (NFL), Indiana Pacers (NBA), and Indy Eleven (USL). Arlington, while not having its teams, is close to Washington, D.C., allowing access to teams like the Washington Football Team (NFL), Washington Nationals (MLB), and Washington Capitals (NHL).
Indianapolis, IN and 
Arlington, VA : 486.9 miles
Indianapolis, IN and 
Arlington, VA : 486.9 miles
