Indianapolis real estate vs inflation: did it beat the dollar?
184% × 46%
Updated June 1, 2026 · Redfin · BLS / FRED (CPIAUCNS)
Since 2013, Indianapolis real estate is up 184% while U.S. consumer prices rose 46%. Indianapolis real estate far outpaced inflation — but the ride was brutal: its worst drop was 16%. Figures in U.S. dollars.
Base 100 since 2013
Why compare Indianapolis home prices (US$/m²) and U.S. inflation (CPI-U)
Indianapolis ranks among the more affordable large U.S. metros, the capital of Indiana and a Midwestern hub for logistics, manufacturing, insurance and pharmaceuticals. Its central location and crossroads of interstates made it a distribution center long before the recent warehouse boom. Housing here has historically been inexpensive relative to coastal cities, with a comparatively shallow 2008 downturn and steady, jobs-anchored demand since. It is a market defined by affordability and stability rather than dramatic cycles. The series below measures the price of the property itself, separate from rent, leverage or carrying costs.
Returns by window
| Window | Indianapolis home prices (US$/m²) | U.S. inflation (CPI-U) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 year | 1% | 4% |
| 5 years | 25% | 24% |
| 10 years | 106% | 39% |
| since 2013 | 184% | 46% |
The price of return: risk
| Asset | Annual volatility | Worst drop |
|---|---|---|
| Indianapolis real estate | 12% | -16% |
| Inflation (CPI) | 1% | -2% |
$10,000 in each, since 2013
| Asset | Value today |
|---|---|
| Indianapolis real estate | $28,412 |
| Inflation (CPI) | $14,553 |
Frequently asked questions
Did Indianapolis real estate beat inflation?
Over the period, Indianapolis real estate returned 184% while U.S. consumer prices rose 46%. The gap is what the asset earned beyond simply keeping pace with the dollar.
Does this account for the dollar losing value?
Yes. The inflation line is U.S. CPI, the measure of how much purchasing power the dollar lost over the same period. Returns above that line are gains in real terms.
Does a higher return mean a better investment?
Not on its own. A higher return came with higher risk here — the volatility and the largest drop on this page show how much the value swung along the way.
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Descriptive, educational content computed from official public data. Not investment advice. Past performance does not guarantee future results.