City Comparison
Hammond vs Indianapolis
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Hammond scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Hammond
Indianapolis
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Hammond is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
27% lower than in Indianapolis.
Housing costs are a major driver: Hammond's average rent is
11% higher than Indianapolis's.
| Metric | Hammond | Indianapolis | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,250 | $1,123 | +11% |
| Groceries | $380 | $450 | -16% |
| Utilities | $175 | $327 | -46% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $900 | -74% |
| Monthly Total | $2,145 | $2,920 | -27% |
| Cost Index | 88 | 90 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Indianapolis offers 24% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Indianapolis delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Hammond is estimated at
$48,000 vs $55,000 in Indianapolis.
| Metric | Hammond | Indianapolis |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,000 | $76,000 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 65,909 idx | 84,444 idx |
| Household Income | $54,500 | $66,219 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Hammond runs warmer on average — a 51.5°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Hammond comes out ahead with 260 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Hammond sees 28.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Hammond | Indianapolis |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.50°F | °F |
| Summer High | 81.80°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 18.50°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 33.50 in | in |
| Snowfall | 28.20 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 260 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 73.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Hammond scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Hammond leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Hammond | Indianapolis |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 27 min | 25 min |
| Transit Score | 52.0/100 | — |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 31.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 29.36 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Indianapolis is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Hammond.
From a growth perspective, Indianapolis is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Indianapolis has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Hammond | Indianapolis |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 77,879 | 910,638 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.33% |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 34.3 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 3.40% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Hammond
Advantages
Significantly lower housing and cost of living compared to nearby Chicago
Excellent commuter rail access via the South Shore Line
Abundant recreational opportunities at Wolf Lake and Hammond Marina
Presence of Purdue University Northwest fostering educational and cultural vitality
Strategic location with robust highway and freight logistics infrastructure
Drawbacks
Property tax rates can fluctuate based on local municipal and school district bonds
Certain commercial corridors experience higher property vacancy rates requiring ongoing revitalization
Winters can be harsh with significant snowfall driven by lake-effect weather patterns
Industrial legacy requires continuous environmental monitoring and remediation efforts
Average household incomes trail the broader national metropolitan average
Indianapolis
Advantages
The cost of living in Indianapolis is approximately 10.3% lower than the national average, making it a highly affordable city.
Indianapolis boasts a diverse and growing job market, particularly in Healthcare & Life Sciences, Logistics, and Advanced Manufacturing.
The average commute time in Central Indiana is relatively short at 24.6 minutes, contributing to a better work-life balance.
The city has a thriving sports and hospitality sector, attracting major events and offering numerous entertainment options.
Housing inventory is increasing, providing more options for buyers, and median home prices remain competitive.
Drawbacks
Indianapolis has a higher crime rate compared to many U.S. cities, with a BaseScore of 44/100 and a safety index indicating it's safer than only 3% of American cities.
The city is largely car-dependent, with limited walkability and public transit options outside of the downtown core.
The average salary in Indianapolis, at $76,000 annually, is lower than the national average.
Rental prices have experienced rapid growth in recent years, impacting affordability for some residents.
Traffic congestion is increasing, leading to more time lost in traffic for commuters.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Hammond
#401Indiana, USA
58.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,250
Avg Salary
$58,000
Cost Index
88
Commute
27 min
Transit Score
52.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
260/yr
Avg Temp
51.50°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
70
Business
65
Indianapolis
#500Indiana, USA
52.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,123
Avg Salary
$76,000
Cost Index
90
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
—
Walkability
31.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.33%
Unemployment
3.40%
Livability
74
Business
70
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