Is Indianapolis, IN cheaper than Cambridge, MA?

Based on cost of living data, Indianapolis, IN is 39.3% cheaper than Cambridge, MA. This translates to saving $2947 per month.

What salary do I need in Indianapolis, IN to live like I do in Cambridge, MA?

If you earn $150,000 in Cambridge, MA, you'd need approximately $114,634.878 in Indianapolis, IN to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Cambridge, MA and Indianapolis, IN?

Housing in Indianapolis, IN is 57.3% cheaper than in Cambridge, MA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,360/month in Indianapolis, IN compared to $3,368/month in Cambridge, MA.

How much can I save per month by moving from Cambridge, MA to Indianapolis, IN?

Moving from Cambridge, MA to Indianapolis, IN could save you approximately $2947 per month, or $35365 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Cambridge, MA vs Indianapolis, IN: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Cambridge, MA — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Boston, MA area

Current salary in Cambridge, MA

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $2.9K/month moving to Indianapolis, IN

$150.0K in your current city equals $114.6K in Indianapolis, IN

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH area

Overall Cost

↓ 39.3%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$2,947

Savings

Annual Impact

$35.4K

Per year

Based on monthly living costs (rent, groceries, utilities, transport, healthcare). Home purchase prices shown separately below.

Cambridge, MA

Population:118K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$1.11M

Indianapolis, IN

Population:888K

Cost Index:61

Median Home:$176K

Cambridge, MA

The Bay State

118K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Massachusetts, this city has a population of 118K residents.

Indianapolis, IN

The Hoosier State

888K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Indiana, this city has a population of 888K residents.

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Cambridge, MA vs Indianapolis, IN

Category	Cambridge, MA	Indianapolis, IN	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$4,567/mo	$1,949/mo	↓ $2,618less	57.3%
🚗Transportation	$1,761/mo	$1,188/mo	↓ $572less	32.5%
⚡All Utilities	$702/mo	$503/mo	↓ $199less	28.4%
📦Other	$1,755/mo	$1,590/mo	↓ $165less	9.4%
🏥Healthcare	$729/mo	$582/mo	↓ $147less	20.1%
🛒Groceries	$1,058/mo	$919/mo	↓ $139less	13.1%

🏠Housing

↓ 57.3%

Cambridge, MA

$4,567

Indianapolis, IN

$1,949

Difference

$2,618

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 32.5%

Cambridge, MA

$1,761

Indianapolis, IN

$1,188

Difference

$572

less

⚡All Utilities

↓ 28.4%

Cambridge, MA

$702

Indianapolis, IN

$503

Difference

$199

less

📦Other

↓ 9.4%

Cambridge, MA

$1,755

Indianapolis, IN

$1,590

Difference

$165

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 20.1%

Cambridge, MA

$729

Indianapolis, IN

$582

Difference

$147

less

🛒Groceries

↓ 13.1%

Cambridge, MA

$1,058

Indianapolis, IN

$919

Difference

$139

less

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

Indianapolis, IN: Marion County Income Tax$3,030/yr (2.0%)

Cambridge, MA has no local income tax.

Local taxes are in addition to state income tax. Not all cities levy local income taxes.

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$2,702

To$1,030

↓ $1,672

1 Bed

From$2,837

To$1,170

↓ $1,667

2 Bed

From$3,368

To$1,360

↓ $2,008

3 Bed

From$4,039

To$1,760

↓ $2,279

Cambridge, MAZIP-level data

1BR range: $3,370–$3,610/mo

Indianapolis, INZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,080–$1,870/mo

💡 Note: Rent prices are based on HUD Fair Market Rent data and represent median costs. Actual prices vary by neighborhood, amenities, and condition. Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents FY2026.

$10,572

Monthly in Cambridge, MA

$6,732

Monthly in Indianapolis, IN

$3,840

Difference

Home Values

Cambridge

Indianapolis

$1.11M

Median Value

$176K

↑ +0.2%

YoY Change

↓ -1.1%

↑ +15.6%

5-Year Change

↑ +26.9%

$963K - $1.26M

Price Range

$109K - $340K

Homes in Indianapolis are 84% less expensive than Cambridge

Calculate payment - Cambridge Calculate payment - Indianapolis

Source: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), January 2026

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↑ $2.7K

Per year

Monthly Difference

$221

More take-home

Effective Rate Diff

1.8%

Rate difference

Cambridge, MA

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Massachusetts State Tax

Effective: 5.0%

$7.5K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 29.7%

$44.5K

Take-Home Pay

$8,791/month

$105.5K

Indianapolis, IN

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Indiana State Tax

Effective: 3.2%

$4.8K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 27.9%

$41.9K

Take-Home Pay

$9,012/month

$108.1K

Additional Tax Information

Cambridge, MA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:6.3%

Property Tax:1.2%

Indianapolis, IN Tax Rates

Sales Tax:7.0%

Property Tax:0.9%

💡 Note: Tax calculations are estimates based on 2024/2025 tax brackets for single filers with standard deduction. Actual taxes may vary based on filing status, deductions, credits, and local variations.