Indianapolis is the crossroads of America and provides an excellent work-life balance with its promising labor prospects and relatively cheap living cost. These benefits make the town among the best places to live compared to Anaheim. Meanwhile, Anaheim is a great tourist destination with its secure neighborhood.
Indianapolis, or Indy, has a good location where it intersects America’s roads going Midwest. This benefit makes it a transportation hub that creates better business opportunities paired with a low cost of living.
Anaheim’s internationally acclaimed tourist attractions and secure community will make you relax and unwind in the city. You will also appreciate the rich outdoor experience in this place, but the high cost of living is unlikely welcoming.
Living in either Anaheim or Indianapolis is a complex judgment to make. However, a better comparison of its perks and drawbacks can break your dilemma on which city will suit you well.
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What Are the Pros and Cons of Anaheim Versus Indianapolis?
Anaheim’s world-class attractions paired with accessibility to other cities is an ideal advantage; however, the poverty rate and high living cost in this place are significant setbacks. Meanwhile, Indianapolis is a good transportation hub, with a strong economy and cheap cost of living, but the weather is horrible.
Living in Anaheim
Pros
- You Will Enjoy World-Class Amusement Parks
- Anaheim Is a Secure Metro Area
- Anaheim Is Close to Other Californian Cities
- Beach Is Around the Corner
Anaheim is more than just Disneyland Resort. The city has an expanding place for other world-class amusement parks that everyone will love. Disneyland Resorts, and Disney Adventure Park, will let you meet your favorite Disney characters, plus you will enjoy the anticipated Galaxy Edge and Legoland.
Adventure City is also an amusement park that is way cheaper than Disneyland. Thrill-seekers will love the challenging rides at Knott’s Berry Farm and Knott’s Soak City.
Anaheim’s low violence crime index is one of its best perks, considering it is a tourist destination. The city has a statistic that is less than the national average. On the other hand, the property crime rate in this area seems to be favorable even if it slightly exceeds the standard median.
Anaheim is somewhat an accessible place to its nearby cities. One of the best deals living in this place is that you can travel to Los Angeles, CA in just 39 minutes to one hour if you ought to take the bus. Santa Ana, CA, is also 10 miles away, while Riverside, CA, is at least 23 miles far.
The accessibility of Anaheim to its neighboring metropolitan area creates better employment opportunities for its people, where the city is entirely lacking.
Beach is also not out of reach if you live in Anaheim because Newport, Huntington, and Long Beach are near accessible. Each beach is about a half-hour drive away, depending on the road congestion. All of the beaches on Santa Monica Bay and the coastlines of Laguna Beach and Dana Point are not far ahead.
Cons
- High Poverty Rate
- You Will Pay a Lot in Anaheim
Even though Anaheim has a favorable tourism industry that generates billions of incomes for its Californian economy, the city still suffers from a high poverty rate. Anaheim’s average household income is $92,330, with a 14.80 % poverty rate. This place’s poverty incidence is one in every 6.3 residents.
The city’s current unemployment rate is 7.5%, with a projected growth rate of 32.5%. This metro area’s numbers continue to lag behind the national median.
You need to ready your pocket and wallets if you want to relocate to Anaheim because commodity prices here are high. In a decent accommodation alone, you need to have at least half a million dollars to purchase a home and around $2,000 per month if you opt to lease.
If you plan to make Mickey Mouse your permanent neighbor, then welcome the expensive city, Anaheim.
Living in Indianapolis
Pros
- Indy Is a Transit Hub
- The Indianapolis International Airport
- Cheap Living Expenses Will Surprise You
- Indianapolis Has a Reputable Economic Status
- Indianapolis Is the Sports Capital of The World
Indianapolis’s location is the intersection of cities going Midwest. The place is a transportation hub because of its accessibility to other metropolitan area. This prime site position is worthy of the name crossroads of America.
To enjoy the creation of Great Lakes Erie and other tourist attractions while traveling east to west in the United States, you must pass through the state of Indiana.
Indy is also home to Indianapolis International Airport, which adds to the city’s status as a transit point. The airport center is also the second-largest FedEx Express hub next to the Memphis station. There are around 40 local flights and multiple airlines that will carry you all around America.
Indianapolis International Airport catered around 7,175,979 passengers in 2021. Many opportunities open up when an air transit system provides local and international services.
Indianapolis has one of the cheapest finds in all categories regarding living expenses. The average indexes of this city do not surpass the national standard. In particular, accommodation in Indianapolis is exceptionally affordable, whether you choose to reside in the suburbs or town center, where the mean housing price is around $143,000.
Every Indianapolis citizen will benefit from the city’s high standard of living. Commodities are also cheap here, particularly if you want to purchase your groceries and foods as well as your monthly electricity consumption.
Indianapolis has an advanced economy where its unemployment rate is 5.6% lower than the national average. Also, the city has a job growth of about 2.5%, with a projected increase of 37.5% in the next ten years.
This city has many employment prospects, especially in healthcare and business. The town has a logistics center with over 1,500 distribution firms employing more than 100,000 people as a transportation hub. Another prospering sector of the urban’s economy is the hospitality business.
Indianapolis has its perks for sports enthusiasts out there, not just locally but internationally. The city is the world’s sports capital because it hosts many sporting events, all thanks to the undying effort of Indiana Sports Corp.
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway is the world’s oldest continuously operating racetrack and home to IndyCar and MotoAmerica. Indianapolis is also home to the NBA’s Indiana Pacers and the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts. The Indianapolis 500, the city’s most important racing event, is visited by a flock of tourists all over the world.
Cons
- Harsh Weather
- Public Transportation is Not Ideal
Indianapolis’s drawback is its terrible weather. Severe winter chills and terrifying natural phenomena are common in the city. Tornadoes are prevalent in the Midwest, especially in the plains. Luckily, they are both disastrous and unavoidable. Every year, Indiana experiences 22 tornadoes on average.
If you hate the extreme cold and unpredictable twisters, then moving to Indy is not the best option for you.
Indianapolis has the least amount of public transportation in the state. Although the city is a transit hub, only 1.8 % of its residents utilize public transport, while 83.7 % drive to work.
Because there is no rail or metro transit in the area, the bus system is the primary mode of transportation. There isn’t enough public transportation to cover such a large area.
Anaheim Or Indianapolis – Which Is Cheaper?
Indianapolis is way cheaper than Anaheim because its overall index on its cost of living does not exceed the standard median. Indy is about 45.1% less expensive than Anaheim, where its housing market is 75.9% cheaper too.
Comparison Table of Living in Anaheim, California vs. Indianapolis, Indiana
| Living Expenses | Anaheim, California | Indianapolis, Indiana |
| Housing and Rent | 257.1% | 61.9% |
| Utilities | 97.4% | 90.2% |
| Food And Groceries | 102.5% | 93.6% |
| Transportation | 118% | 90.8% |
| Health | 95.9% | 86.8% |
| Miscellaneous | 104.4% | 99% |
Based on the Data of which 100 = U.S. National Average
>100 means more expensive
<100 means cheaper than the U.S. average
Housing and Rent Costs
Indianapolis is way cheaper than Anaheim when it comes to housing market prices. Here, the median house price does not exceed the national average, the opposite of Anaheim. Living in Indy will require you to have at least $143,000 and a rental fee of about $1,163 per month.
Meanwhile, Anaheim is a lot more expensive, with a median home value of $594,400 and rental costs of $2,871 per month.
Utility Costs
Living in Anaheim and Indianapolis will make you pay less for your utility expenses; however, between the two cities, Indy is cheaper. Both places’ indexes do not exceed the national average.
The average monthly dues you will pay in either town for your gas, water, electricity, and internet connection is roughly $300.00.
Food and Groceries Costs
Foods in Indianapolis are inexpensive rather than in Anaheim. Indy’s average index falls behind the national standard. Most foods in this city are cheap because of their homegrown produce, meat, and vegetables. Meanwhile, Anaheim has a tourist price for its meals and groceries.
Transportation Costs
Living in Indianapolis will charge you less for your transportation expenses than Anaheim. Indy will make you pay around $60.00 for a monthly bus pass, while Anaheim will charge you $69.00 for the same service. The limited transportation system in Anaheim makes their transit cost higher.
Health Care Costs
Indianapolis is around 9.1% cheaper than Anaheim. For example, a doctor’s visit fee in Indy is $103.85, while it will cost you about $118 if you live in Anaheim. Although, both places do not exceed the national standard regarding health care costs.
Taxes
Indianapolis has a 7.0% sales tax and a 5.3% income tax. Meanwhile, the sales tax in Anaheim is 7.8%, with an income tax rate of 8%. Both cities have taxes that exceed the national averages.
Is Anaheim Safer Than Indianapolis?
Anaheim is one of the most secured places in the United States based on its record of low violent crime cases. This city does not exceed the national average making it safer than Indianapolis. Meanwhile, Indy’s numbers in assault-related crimes are twice as much as Anaheim’s.
Anaheim’s property crime cases are slightly higher than the national average, with a 4% difference. The consistently low numbers of criminal offenses recorded in this tourist destination city are relatively favorable to its visitors and much more to its residents.
On the other hand, Indianapolis has a high concentration of violent and property crime index that is twice as much as the standard median set by the FBI. Indy’s high number of related criminal offenses is somewhat a significant setback for the area.
Is Anaheim Bigger Than Indianapolis?
Indianapolis is considerably larger than Anaheim in population and total land ratio. Indy has 877,903 people living on its 361.6 square miles total area. Meanwhile, only 353,676 people live in Anaheim, which has a landmass of 50.3 square miles.
Indianapolis is one of the most populated metropolitan areas in Indiana. The city’s centralized city limits are congruent with Marion County, making it the 18th biggest urban in the United States by land area.
Meanwhile, Anaheim’s city limits span nearly the entire length of Orange County, embracing a wide variety of communities.
Is Anaheim Warmer Than Indianapolis?
Anaheim has a hot-semi arid climate typically warmer than Indianapolis’s humid continental climate. Both places have a scorching hot summer feel, with Anaheim having 280 sunny days, while Indy has only 186.
Anaheim is warmer than Indianapolis because of its sunny days above the national median. The city has a record high of about 115 degrees Fahrenheit last July 2018. Also, this city has a close call to desert climate due to its rainless summer with no snowfall on winter weather.
On the contrary, Indy’s continental climate lets you experience four seasons with 22 inches of snow yearly. This place also has no distinct dry season, and drought is occasional.
Is Anaheim Better Than Indianapolis?
Indianapolis is the ideal city for everyone because of its promising economy paired with low living costs that make a good standard of living. The town is highly accessible to Midwest places, making it a better option than Anaheim. On the contrary, thanks to its booming tourism industry, Anaheim is a good place.
Living in Indianapolis is quite a catch because of its cheap living expenses coupled with a large variety of labor prospects and business opportunities. The city is also a transit hub with excellent schools, international sports culture, and a vibrant neighborhood.
Thanks to its tourism industry, Anaheim is thriving, contributing a lot to its economic status. The city is also one of the most secured places in its state and America. However, living in this city requires paying more for your commodities and essentials.
Anaheim and Indianapolis have various upsides that it provides to their folks. However, if you want a comfortable lifestyle, a steady career, and paying less for your daily expenses, head to Indianapolis rather than Anaheim.
Anaheim, California versus Indianapolis, Indiana – Where do you consider moving? Let me know your thoughts below.
