Best overall alternatives
Ranked by lifestyle match: savings potential, walkability, and economic opportunity โ not just cheapest price.
Best Match
10% cheaper
vs. Indianapolis
1BR rent$1,050/mo
Monthly savings$150/mo
Walk score28/100
Median income$48K/yr
๐ฏ Springfield
Missouri, MO
11% cheaper
vs. Indianapolis
1BR rent$950/mo
Monthly savings$250/mo
Walk score26/100
Median income$47K/yr
10% cheaper
vs. Indianapolis
1BR rent$950/mo
Monthly savings$250/mo
Walk score22/100
Median income$50K/yr
Moving to El Paso saves you $150/mo. Put it to work while you plan.
High-yield savings accounts โ top rates today
See all savings accounts โ
Openbank
Openbank 12-Month CD
4.45%APY

Peak Bank
Peak Bank 12-Month CD
4.42%APY
Stay in Indiana
Cheaper cities within Indiana โ same state laws, familiar surroundings.
Eliminate Indiana's 3.2% state income tax
These states charge $0 in state income tax. On a $120K salary, that's $3,840/year back in your pocket โ before factoring in the lower COL.
More monthly income deserves a card that earns it back
No-annual-fee credit cards โ earn rewards on every moving expense

Chase
Chase Freedom Unlimitedยฎ
1.5%-5% Cash Back
$0 annual fee

Citi
Citi Custom Cashยฎ Card
1%-5% Cash Back
$0 annual fee
More affordable metros
All other established metros cheaper than Indianapolis, sorted by cost of living.
๐ต Jackson, MSCOL 791BR $1,000/moSave $200/mo on rent11% cheaper
โ๏ธ Montgomery, ALCOL 811BR $1,050/moSave $150/mo on rent9% cheaper
๐ท Shreveport, LACOL 811BR $1,000/moSave $200/mo on rent9% cheaper
๐ป Toledo, OHCOL 811BR $1,050/moSave $150/mo on rent9% cheaper
๐ Tulsa, OKCOL 811BR $1,050/moSave $150/mo on rent9% cheaper
โ๏ธ Mobile, ALCOL 821BR $1,100/moSave $100/mo on rent8% cheaper
Cities with similar cost of living
COL data: Numbeo, Zillow, BLS ยท Walk scores: Walk Scoreยฎ ยท Q1 2026 ยท For general guidance only