Indianapolis, Indiana, and Kansas City, Missouri, are two prominent cities in the US with their unique characteristics and attractions. These cities have distinctive cultural, economic, and social environments, which contribute to their unique living experiences. In this comparative analysis, we'll consider crime and safety, weather, cost of living, education, work and economy, infrastructure, industries and occupations, biggest employers, real-estate, neighborhoods, transportation, taxes, culture and food, sports teams, geographical conditions, and health care.
Distance between
Indianapolis, IN and
Kansas City, MO : 451.2 miles
Indianapolis's population is larger by 74%. Its population has grown by 100,169 people (12.8%) since 2000. The population of Kansas City has grown by 66,849 people (15.1%) during that time.
Both Indianapolis and Kansas City have crime rates that are higher than the national average. With regard to violent crimes, Kansas City has a slightly higher rate. However, it's essential to note that crime is not evenly spread throughout the cities, and some neighborhoods are safer than others. Both cities have put measures in place to improve public safety, including expanded police presence and community engagement initiatives.
City-data.com crime index counts serious crimes and violent crime more heavily. It adjusts for the number of visitors and daily workers commuting into cities. (higher means more crime, U.S. average = 301.1)
City-data.com crime index counts serious crimes and violent crime more heavily. It adjusts for the number of visitors and daily workers commuting into cities. (higher means more crime, U.S. average = 301.1)
Sex Offenders
According to our data, there are 82 registered sex offenders living in Indianapolis and 1,794 registered sex offenders living in . The ratio of residents to sex offenders in Indianapolis is 10,396 to 1; the ratio in Kansas City is 268 to 1. The number of registered sex offenders compared to the number of residents is a lot smaller in Indianapolis than in Kansas City.
Cost of Living
Overall, the cost of living in Indianapolis is slightly lower than Kansas City. Particularly, housing costs in Indianapolis tend to be lower on average than in Kansas City. However, grocery and health care costs are comparable between the two cities.
Income Tax
Residents in both cities pay state income tax. However, when it comes to county level income tax, only Indianapolis has it at around 1-3.5% based on the county.
Property Tax
The average property tax rate in Indianapolis is lower than in Kansas City. However, the actual amount homeowners pay depends largely on the home's assessed value.
Sales Tax
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Indianapolis is 7%. On the other hand, Kansas City has a combined state and local sales tax rate of about 8.475%, making it one of the highest in the country.
Income
Type
Indianapolis
Kansas City
Estimated median household income
$58,479
$63,396
Estimated per capita income
$32,792
$36,456
Cost of living index (U.S. average is 100)
87.7
87.3
If you make $50,000 in Kansas City, you will have to make $50,229 in Indianapolis to maintain the same standard of living.
Geographical Conditions
Indianapolis is characterized by its flat geography, conducive for agriculture, while Kansas City's geography is more varied with bluffs and valleys, and a notable number of naturally occurring springs and fountains.
Both cities have a variety of public and private school options, as well as community colleges and universities. Kansas City is home to the University of Missouri-Kansas City, while Indianapolis houses Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis. Both cities strive for quality education and have numerous academic programs.
Both cities have diverse economies. Indianapolis has a strong economy centered around manufacturing, health care and social services, and retail trade. The economy in Kansas City is also diverse, with major sectors being trade, transportation, and utilities, professional and business services, and health services.
Biggest Employers
In Indianapolis, major employers include IU Health, St. Vincent, and Eli Lilly. In Kansas City, Cerner Corporation, Saint Luke's Health System, and the University of Kansas Hospital are some of the major employers.
In Indianapolis (Marion County), 60.1% voted for Democrats and 37.9% for Republicans in 2012 Presidential Election. In Kansas City (Jackson County), 58.9% voted for Democrats and 39.3% for Republicans.
Elections
Type
Democrats
Republicans
Other
Year
Indianapolis
Kansas City
Indianapolis
Kansas City
Indianapolis
Kansas City
2020
63.7%
60.1%
34.5%
38.1%
1.9%
1.8%
2016
58.2%
55.5%
35.6%
38.1%
6.2%
6.4%
2012
60.1%
58.9%
37.9%
39.3%
2.0%
1.7%
2008
63.8%
62.1%
35.4%
36.8%
0.8%
1.1%
2004
50.6%
58.2%
48.7%
41.4%
0.7%
0.4%
2000
48.0%
59.0%
49.3%
38.4%
2.8%
2.5%
1996
44.6%
56.2%
47.8%
34.3%
7.7%
9.5%
Breakdown of population affiliated with a religious congregation
Type
Adherents
Congregations
Religion
Indianapolis
Kansas City
Indianapolis
Kansas City
CATHOLIC CHURCH
11.1%
10.3%
4.6%
6.4%
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
1.6%
9.5%
5.7%
13.7%
AMERICAN BAPTIST CHURCHES IN THE USA
1.2%
0.3%
3.4%
1.4%
LUTHERAN CHURCH
0.8%
1.4%
1.5%
1.8%
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
0.5%
0.2%
1.6%
1.0%
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
0.5%
0.5%
1.6%
1.0%
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
0.4%
0.8%
1.1%
1.7%
MUSLIM ESTIMATE
0.3%
0.4%
1.1%
1.1%
SALVATION ARMY
0.3%
0.4%
0.3%
0.6%
Weather
Kansas City and Indianapolis both experience a mix of four seasons – with warm summers and cold winters. However, Indianapolis tends to have slightly cooler summers and colder winters compared to Kansas City. Both cities can experience snowfall and occasional severe weather such as thunderstorms and tornadoes.
Weather and climate
Type
Indianapolis
Kansas City
Temperature - Average
52.1°F
56.2°F
Humidity - Average morning or afternoon humidity
77%
76.3%
Humidity - Differences between morning and afternoon humidity
31%
30.1%
Humidity - Maximum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
86%
86%
Humidity - Minimum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
55%
56%
Precipitation - Yearly average
40.6 in
36.3 in
Snowfall - Yearly average
51 in
38 in
Clouds - Number of days clear of clouds
14.7%
20.1%
Sunshine amount - Average
56.2%
67.3%
Sunshine amount - Differences during a year
33%
25.9%
Sunshine amount - Maximum monthly
65%
74%
Sunshine amount - Minimum monthly
32%
48%
Wind speed - Average
10.3 mph
11.2 mph
Average climate in Indianapolis, Indiana
Average climate in Kansas City, Missouri
Air pollution
Type
AQI
CO
NO2
OZONE
PB
PM10
PM25
SO2
Year
Indianapolis
Kansas City
Indianapolis
Kansas City
Indianapolis
Kansas City
Indianapolis
Kansas City
Indianapolis
Indianapolis
Kansas City
Indianapolis
Kansas City
Indianapolis
Kansas City
2018
94
89
0.58
0.29
13.2
11.1
23.1
29.6
N/A
N/A
18.2
24.5
10.4
7.4
0.3
0.9
2017
87
88
0.82
0.29
12.4
11.6
23.0
30.4
N/A
N/A
17.6
26.7
10.1
10.0
0.4
1.4
2016
91
85
0.62
0.30
13.0
12.0
22.5
28.9
N/A
N/A
18.0
24.9
9.9
9.0
0.4
1.5
2015
89
90
0.73
0.30
14.9
12.9
22.9
28.9
N/A
N/A
19.7
33.6
9.9
8.3
1.1
4.6
2014
100
90
0.62
0.28
16.1
13.0
25.1
28.6
N/A
N/A
20.6
28.5
12.1
9.3
3.2
5.0
2013
94
88
0.69
0.41
11.5
13.2
26.3
29.3
N/A
N/A
19.9
30.8
12.8
10.3
2.6
5.6
2012
103
105
0.65
0.52
10.4
14.2
25.7
31.9
N/A
N/A
20.8
N/A
12.9
10.3
2.9
6.4
2011
105
108
0.68
0.45
11.3
15.0
22.9
29.9
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
16.3
10.9
2.4
4.8
2010
101
97
0.54
0.40
12.7
15.0
21.6
27.4
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
15.9
11.9
3.3
5.4
2009
97
96
0.73
0.29
11.4
14.8
23.2
28.3
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
13.8
9.6
1.9
6.1
2008
91
89
0.62
0.40
11.5
17.0
N/A
25.7
0.010
N/A
N/A
N/A
13.2
11.5
3.0
6.0
2007
103
104
0.69
0.42
13.1
18.4
N/A
29.1
0.011
N/A
N/A
N/A
14.9
13.1
3.6
4.2
2006
95
104
0.59
0.36
14.5
18.5
N/A
29.2
0.009
N/A
N/A
N/A
14.5
12.4
3.6
5.1
2005
121
105
0.65
0.55
15.2
18.3
N/A
28.4
0.014
N/A
N/A
N/A
18.0
N/A
4.3
4.5
2004
104
83
0.62
0.45
15.8
11.6
N/A
26.2
0.010
N/A
N/A
N/A
15.1
N/A
4.6
4.0
2003
113
99
0.67
0.41
16.6
10.9
N/A
28.0
0.010
N/A
N/A
N/A
15.8
N/A
4.2
3.0
2002
125
100
0.76
0.40
17.4
8.9
N/A
27.0
0.009
N/A
N/A
N/A
16.8
N/A
3.9
2.5
2001
105
88
0.81
0.52
16.6
7.9
N/A
27.0
0.031
N/A
N/A
N/A
16.3
N/A
3.8
1.2
2000
98
102
0.87
0.75
17.3
8.8
N/A
29.2
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
4.5
2.2
Natural disasters
Type
Indianapolis
Kansas City
Tornado activity compared to U.S. average
226.7%
200.4%
Earthquake activity compared to U.S. average
179.6%
598.9%
Natural disasters compared to U.S. average
16%
24%
Transportation
In terms of public transit, both cities offer bus services. However, Kansas City also has a modern streetcar system. Commutes can vary depending on the neighborhood, but both cities have made efforts to reduce traffic congestion and improve road quality.
Transport
Type
Indianapolis
Kansas City
Amtrak stations
1
1
Amtrak stations nearby
1
3
FAA registered aircraft
739
0
FAA registered aircraft manufacturers and dealers
18
0
Means of transportation to work
Type
Indianapolis
Kansas City
Bicycle
0.5%
0.4%
Bus
1.2%
1.5%
Carpooled
8.5%
8.7%
Car alone
87.3%
86.8%
Taxicab
0.1%
0.2%
Walked
1.6%
1.3%
Average travel time to work
Type
Indianapolis
Kansas City
Average
28.1 min
25.5 min
Other means
22.5 min
21.7 min
Public transportation
40.2 min
38.9 min
Private vehicle occupancy
Type
Indianapolis
Kansas City
Average
1.2
1.1
Drove alone
88.2%
89.4%
In 2 person carpool
9.4%
8%
In 3 person carpool
1.3%
2.1%
In 4 person carpool
0.5%
0.3%
In 5-6 person carpool
0.4%
0.2%
In 7+ person carpool
0.1%
0%
How many people usually rode to work in the car, truck or van.
Real Estate
While both cities have diverse real estate markets, the median home price in Indianapolis is generally lower than in Kansas City. Both cities offer a mix of vintage homes and new developments, with opportunities for homeownership and rental.
Neighborhoods
Indianapolis boasts neighborhoods like Broad Ripple Village known for its vibrant nightlife and arts scene, while Kansas City's Waldo neighborhood is famous for its walkability and eclectic mix of shops and dining. Both cities offer a variety of neighborhoods to fit different lifestyles.
Houses and residents
Type
Indianapolis
Kansas City
Houses
399,820
243,950
Average household size (people)
2.4
2.3
Median year apartment built
1977
1975
Median year house/condo built
1971
1967
Length of stay in the house since moving in
13 years
12 years
Houses occupied
358,150 (89.6%)
219,020 (89.8%)
Houses occupied by owners
201,149 (56.2%)
118,384 (54.1%)
Houses occupied by renters
157,001 (43.8%)
100,636 (45.9%)
Median rent asked for vacant for-rent units
$876.58
$933.71
Median monthly housing costs
$980
$1,092
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses and condos
$283,027
$71,644
Estimated median house or condo value
$188,700
$213,400
Median numbers of rooms
5.5
5.5
Median number of rooms in apartments
4.3
4.3
Median number of rooms in houses and condos
6.5
6.6
Median house price - detached houses
$231,490
$250,072
Median house price - in 2-unit structures
$257,253
$212,485
Median house price - in 3-to-4-unit structures
$240,688
$147,015
Median house price - in 5 or more unit structures
$247,275
$274,597
Median house price - mobile homes
$58,413
$19,650
Median house price - Townhouses or other attached units
$222,424
$203,232
Median house price - All housing units
$229,666
$247,285
Median house age
48
52
Renting percentage
44.2%
43.8%
Housing density (houses/condos per square mile)
1,106.1
778
House value disparities
36.1%
36%
Household income disparities
44.4%
43.9%
Median household income for houses/condes with a mortgage
$86,008
$96,255
Median household income for apartments without a mortgage
$61,922
$64,961
Housing units without a mortgage
4,552 (3.2%)
1,566 (2%)
Housing units with both a second mortgage and home equity loan
9,787 (6.8%)
5,650 (7.2%)
Housing units with a mortgage
138,622 (96.8%)
77,422 (98%)
Housing units with a home equity loan
271 (0.2%)
403 (0.5%)
Housing units with a second mortgage
12,987 (9.1%)
6,848 (8.7%)
House/condo owner moved in on average (years ago)
11
9
House/condo renter moved in on average (years ago)
1
1
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities
3.4%
3.8%
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities
1.1%
2.2%
Housing units in structures
Housing units in structures
Indianapolis
Kansas City
One, detached
59.0%
60.7%
One, attached
9.2%
3.9%
Two
2.5%
3.1%
3 or 4
6.2%
4.4%
5 to 9
7.7%
5.8%
10 to 19
6.3%
6.2%
20 to 49
3.1%
5.8%
50 or more
5.0%
9.3%
Mobile homes
1.0%
0.6%
Boats, RVs, vans, etc.
0.0%
0.1%
Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units
Self-employed workers in own not incorporated business
17,131
13,035
State government workers
15,502
6,835
Unpaid family workers
1,601
197
Industries and Occupations
Indianapolis has strong industries in health care, manufacturing, and retail trade, while Kansas City has key industries in trade and transportation, utilities, professional services, and health care. Both cities have a broad spectrum of job opportunities, contributing to their vibrant economies.
Both cities boast of robust healthcare systems. Indianapolis is home to top hospitals such as IU Health Academic Health Center, while Kansas City has Saint Luke's Hospital of Kansas City. Both cities prioritize access to quality healthcare.
Health (county statistics)
Type
Indianapolis
Kansas City
General health status score of residents in this county from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent)
Kansas City and Indianapolis both have substantial infrastructure systems, including highways, airports, and public transportation. However, while Kansas City has invested significantly in its downtown area, creating a more robust infrastructure system, Indianapolis is known for its well-planned city layout with an interstate highway system.
Infrastructure
Type
Indianapolis
Kansas City
Hospitals
76
30
TV stations
19
14
Arenas or stadiums
3
2
Bank branches located here
259
140
Bank institutions located here
27
41
Main business address for public companies
28
27
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
Kansas City
1999
3,358
1,565
2000
3,562
1,758
2001
2,649
1,494
2002
1,915
1,380
2003
2,519
1,975
2004
3,702
3,011
2005
6,057
3,470
2006
5,811
3,499
2007
3,456
2,228
2008
1,247
742
2009
565
447
Culture and Food
Both cities have rich cultural scenes. While Kansas City is renowned for its jazz music scene and Barbecue dining, Indianapolis is known for its thriving performing arts scene and diverse culinary landscape that embraces global cultures.
Sports Teams
Indianapolis is home to the Indianapolis Colts (NFL) and Indiana Pacers (NBA), while Kansas City houses the Kansas City Chiefs (NFL) and Kansas City Royals (MLB). Both cities have a passionate sports culture that contributes to the local flair.
Indianapolis, IN and 
Kansas City, MO : 451.2 miles
Indianapolis, IN and 
Kansas City, MO : 451.2 miles
