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Crunching costs, sorting signals, rendering insights.
Crunching costs, sorting signals, rendering insights.
Dollar for dollar, these cities represent some of the best deals in America. 2 out of 2 cities undercut the national cost index of 112. Leading the pack: Indianapolis at index 92, where median rent of $1,356/month saves renters $6,468/year versus the national median.
Dollar for dollar, these cities represent some of the best deals in America. 2 out of 2 cities undercut the national cost index of 112. Leading the pack: Indianapolis at index 92, where median rent of $1,356/month saves renters $6,468/year versus the national median.
What does daily life actually cost in Indianapolis? Start with the 26% rent-to-income ratio — tight but manageable for most households. On the category level, Housing (index 80) is where the real savings show up, while Healthcare (index 95) is the line item most likely to surprise newcomers. Income at $62,995 and homes at $226,528 round out a profile that ranks #1 for clear reasons.
With that foundation in place: Nationally, the 288 cities in our database average a cost index of 112, rent of $1,895/month, and household income of $80,367. The cities in this ranking significantly outperform those benchmarks. For anyone relocating from a high-cost market, this will feel like a raise.
If you're ready to act on this, three things to do next: 1) Click into the city pages for the top 3 and check rent trends — direction matters more than the snapshot. 2) Run your income through the salary calculator for a personalized cost comparison. It's fine. Not great, not bad. 3) Compare your top two picks head-to-head on our comparison page. The data is here; the decision is yours (that's pre-tax, of course).
#1 Ranked: Indianapolis, IN — cost index 92, rent $1,356/mo, income $62,995
2 of 2 cities come in below the national cost-of-living average of 112
Data sourced from Census Bureau, Zillow, BLS, and Tax Foundation — current as of 2026
| Rank | City | Cost Index | Median Rent | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | IndianapolisIN | 92 | $1,356 | Details |
| 2 | Oklahoma CityOK | 89 | $1,255 | Details |
879,293 residents · Indiana
Dive into Indianapolis's numbers: cost index 92 — and yes, that's adjusted for the region — (20 points below national average), rent $1,356/month, income $62,995, and a home price of $226,528. The city's cost profile isn't flat — Housing is the cheapest category at 80, while Healthcare runs 95. As a major city with 879,293 residents, amenities and job markets are robust.
702,767 residents · Oklahoma
Oklahoma City earns its position at #2 through a combination that's hard to replicate. The 89 cost index sits 23 points below the national baseline, and the $66,702 median income means purchasing power here is amplified by the low cost base. Homes list at $203,329 — $264,041 below the national median — a genuine ownership opportunity. On the cost side, Housing leads the way at 73, while Healthcare trails at 92.
Our cost of living index uses real Zillow rent data as the foundation, indexed to 100 (national median). Sub-categories (housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare) are derived from the overall index with regional adjustments. Data is updated monthly.
Indianapolis (ranked #1) has a cost index of 92 and rent of $1,356/mo, while Oklahoma City (ranked #2) has a cost index of 89 and rent of $1,255/mo — a 3-point difference in cost of living.
City data is refreshed monthly from Census Bureau population estimates, Zillow rent and home price indices, BLS salary data, and Tax Foundation tax rates. Last updated: 2026.
The median 1-bedroom rent in Indianapolis is $1,356/month as of 2026, based on Zillow's Observed Rent Index. This is $539 below the national median of $1,895/month.
The median home price in Indianapolis is $226,528, which is 3.6× the local median income. It's on the edge of affordability for median-income households. The national median home price is $467,370.
This ranking was generated using data current as of early 2026. Population and income data comes from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (5-year estimates). Rent and home price data is from Zillow's monthly releases. Tax rates are from the Tax Foundation's 2025 edition. Rankings are refreshed monthly.