Best places to live in Indiana
An ideal town or neighborhood looks different for everyone.
Those who can't get enough of the outdoors may prioritize proximity to trails, lakes, and beaches, while parents are looking for places with top-ranked schools for their children. Culture lovers might want to live in a city with museums and art walks, whereas sports fans look for professional or college sports teams nearby.
Stacker compiled a list of the best places to live in Indiana using data from Niche. Niche ranks places to live based on a variety of factors including cost of living, schools, health care, recreation, and weather.
On the list, there's a robust mix of offerings from great schools and nightlife to high walkability and public parks. Some areas have enjoyed rapid growth thanks to new businesses moving to the area, while others offer glimpses into area history with well-preserved architecture and museums.
Keep reading to see if your hometown made the list.
CORRECTION: A previously published version of this piece, in some cases, incorrectly listed private schools as public schools.
#30. Noblesville, Indiana
- Overall Rank: 1,003
- Population: 70,442
- Median household income: $99,458
- Median home value: $295,700 (72% own)
- Median rent: $1,202 (28% rent)
- Top public schools: Hamilton Southeastern Intermediate / Junior High (grade A), Southeastern Elementary School (grade A), Fishers Junior High School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Park Tudor School (grade A+), Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School (grade A+), Cathedral High School (grade A+)
#29. Pittsboro, Indiana
- Overall Rank: 1,698
- Population: 3,814
- Median household income: $118,750
- Median home value: $251,000 (97% own)
- Median rent: $1,012 (3% rent)
- Top public schools: Brownsburg East Middle School (grade A+), Delaware Trail Elementary School (grade A+), Lincoln Elementary (grade A+)
- Top private schools: MTI School of Knowledge (grade A), Traders Point Christian Schools (grade A minus), Covenant Christian High School (grade A minus)
#28. St. John, Indiana
- Overall Rank: 2,151
- Population: 20,727
- Median household income: $123,799
- Median home value: $346,900 (97% own)
- Median rent: $909 (3% rent)
- Top public schools: Timothy Ball Elementary School (grade A), Crown Point High School (grade A), George Bibich Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Andrean High School (grade A), Illinois Lutheran High School (grade A minus), Illiana Christian High School (grade B+)
#27. Valparaiso, Indiana
- Overall Rank: 2,129
- Population: 33,991
- Median household income: $59,943
- Median home value: $229,900 (56% own)
- Median rent: $1,082 (44% rent)
- Top public schools: Heavilin Elementary School (grade A), Ben Franklin Middle School (grade A), Thomas Jefferson Middle School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Victory Christian Academy (grade B+), Portage Christian School (grade B+), Trinity Lutheran School (grade A)
#26. Westfield, Indiana
- Overall Rank: 316
- Population: 48,262
- Median household income: $117,519
- Median home value: $364,400 (80% own)
- Median rent: $1,444 (20% rent)
- Top public schools: Carmel High School (grade A+), Westfield High School (grade A+), Westfield Intermediate School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Park Tudor School (grade A+), Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School (grade A+), Cathedral High School (grade A+)
#25. Whitestown, Indiana
- Overall Rank: 1,787
- Population: 10,253
- Median household income: $113,000
- Median home value: $322,700 (72% own)
- Median rent: $1,619 (28% rent)
- Top public schools: Brownsburg East Middle School (grade A+), Zionsville Community High School (grade A+), Reagan Elementary School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: International School of Indiana (grade A+), Park Tudor School (grade A+), Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School (grade A+)
#24. Zionsville, Indiana
- Overall Rank: 207
- Population: 30,832
- Median household income: $152,788
- Median home value: $493,900 (85% own)
- Median rent: $1,536 (15% rent)
- Top public schools: Carmel High School (grade A+), Brownsburg East Middle School (grade A+), Creekside Middle School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: International School of Indiana (grade A+), Park Tudor School (grade A+), Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School (grade A+)
#23. St. Vincent - Greenbriar, Indiana
- Overall Rank: 2,207
- Population: 15,118
- Median household income: $68,244
- Median home value: $273,274 (43% own)
- Median rent: $1,147 (57% rent)
- Top public schools: Herron High School (grade A+), Herron-Riverside High School (grade A minus), Clearwater Elementary School (grade B+)
- Top private schools: International School of Indiana (grade A+), Park Tudor School (grade A+), Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School (grade A+)
#22. Yorktown, Indiana
- Overall Rank: 2,199
- Population: 11,560
- Median household income: $76,915
- Median home value: $165,700 (91% own)
- Median rent: $788 (9% rent)
- Top public schools: Indiana Academy for Science, Mathematics, and Humanities (grade A+), Yorktown High School (grade A), Yorktown Elementary School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: Liberty Christian School (grade B), Indiana Christian Academy (grade B), Heritage Hall Christian School (grade B minus)
#21. Columbus, Indiana
- Overall Rank: 2,166
- Population: 50,896
- Median household income: $75,114
- Median home value: $211,700 (60% own)
- Median rent: $1,081 (40% rent)
- Top public schools: Southside Elementary School (grade A), Columbus North High School (grade A), Columbus Signature Academy (CSA) - Lincoln Campus (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: Trinity Lutheran High School (grade B+), Sandy Creek Christian Academy (grade B+), Columbus Christian School (grade B)
#20. Geist, Indiana
- Overall Rank: 2,091
- Population: data not available
- Median household income: data not available
- Median home value: data not available (data not available own)
- Median rent: data not available (data not available rent)
- Top public schools:
- Top private schools:
#19. College Park, Indiana
- Overall Rank: 2,090
- Population: 3,207
- Median household income: $68,644
- Median home value: $149,208 (52% own)
- Median rent: $1,251 (48% rent)
- Top public schools: Lincoln Elementary (grade A+), Herron High School (grade A+), Herron-Riverside High School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: International School of Indiana (grade A+), Park Tudor School (grade A+), Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School (grade A+)
#18. Wynnedale - Spring Hill, Indiana
- Overall Rank: 2,030
- Population: data not available
- Median household income: data not available
- Median home value: data not available (data not available own)
- Median rent: data not available (data not available rent)
- Top public schools:
- Top private schools:
#17. Castleton, Indiana
- Overall Rank: 1,981
- Population: data not available
- Median household income: data not available
- Median home value: data not available (data not available own)
- Median rent: data not available (data not available rent)
- Top public schools:
- Top private schools:
#16. Devonshire, Indiana
- Overall Rank: 1,819
- Population: 6,462
- Median household income: $106,838
- Median home value: $323,411 (71% own)
- Median rent: $1,229 (29% rent)
- Top public schools: Herron High School (grade A+), Southeastern Elementary School (grade A), Herron-Riverside High School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: International School of Indiana (grade A+), Park Tudor School (grade A+), Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School (grade A+)
#15. Battle Ground, Indiana
- Overall Rank: 1,778
- Population: data not available
- Median household income: data not available
- Median home value: data not available (data not available own)
- Median rent: data not available (data not available rent)
- Top public schools:
- Top private schools:
#14. West Lafayette, Indiana
- Overall Rank: 1,639
- Population: 44,861
- Median household income: $30,317
- Median home value: $303,300 (29% own)
- Median rent: $1,056 (71% rent)
- Top public schools: West Lafayette Junior/Senior High School (grade A+), West Lafayette Intermediate School (grade A+), West Lafayette Elementary School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Central Catholic Jr. - Sr. High School (grade A), Faith Christian School (grade B+), St. James Lutheran Elementary School (grade A)
#13. Meridian Kessler, Indiana
- Overall Rank: 1,613
- Population: 13,872
- Median household income: $129,848
- Median home value: $394,858 (78% own)
- Median rent: $1,361 (22% rent)
- Top public schools: Herron High School (grade A+), Herron-Riverside High School (grade A minus), Clearwater Elementary School (grade B+)
- Top private schools: International School of Indiana (grade A+), Park Tudor School (grade A+), Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School (grade A+)
#12. Fall Creek, Indiana
- Overall Rank: 1,547
- Population: 19,406
- Median household income: $86,280
- Median home value: $248,121 (60% own)
- Median rent: $1,148 (40% rent)
- Top public schools: Herron High School (grade A+), Southeastern Elementary School (grade A), Herron-Riverside High School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: International School of Indiana (grade A+), Park Tudor School (grade A+), Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School (grade A+)
#11. Butler - Tarkington, Indiana
- Overall Rank: 1,479
- Population: 9,474
- Median household income: $98,043
- Median home value: $302,271 (67% own)
- Median rent: $1,820 (33% rent)
- Top public schools: Herron High School (grade A+), Herron-Riverside High School (grade A minus), Clearwater Elementary School (grade B+)
- Top private schools: International School of Indiana (grade A+), Park Tudor School (grade A+), Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School (grade A+)
#10. Millersville, Indiana
- Overall Rank: 1,421
- Population: 8,449
- Median household income: $70,661
- Median home value: $241,830 (43% own)
- Median rent: $1,180 (57% rent)
- Top public schools: Herron High School (grade A+), Southeastern Elementary School (grade A), Herron-Riverside High School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: International School of Indiana (grade A+), Park Tudor School (grade A+), Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School (grade A+)
#9. Traders Point, Indiana
- Overall Rank: 1,404
- Population: 6,880
- Median household income: $139,931
- Median home value: $383,459 (93% own)
- Median rent: $959 (7% rent)
- Top public schools: Lincoln Elementary (grade A+), Herron High School (grade A+), Herron-Riverside High School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: International School of Indiana (grade A+), Park Tudor School (grade A+), Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School (grade A+)
#8. Clearwater, Indiana
- Overall Rank: 772
- Population: 3,657
- Median household income: $92,688
- Median home value: $286,067 (84% own)
- Median rent: $1,627 (16% rent)
- Top public schools: Herron High School (grade A+), Allisonville Elementary School (grade B+), Clearwater Elementary School (grade B+)
- Top private schools: International School of Indiana (grade A+), Park Tudor School (grade A+), Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School (grade A+)
#7. Allisonville, Indiana
- Overall Rank: 729
- Population: 9,803
- Median household income: $99,861
- Median home value: $350,635 (67% own)
- Median rent: $1,409 (33% rent)
- Top public schools: Herron High School (grade A+), Southeastern Elementary School (grade A), Herron-Riverside High School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: International School of Indiana (grade A+), Park Tudor School (grade A+), Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School (grade A+)
#6. Glendale, Indiana
- Overall Rank: 701
- Population: 3,740
- Median household income: $69,043
- Median home value: $278,359 (51% own)
- Median rent: $951 (49% rent)
- Top public schools: Herron High School (grade A+), Herron-Riverside High School (grade A minus), Allisonville Elementary School (grade B+)
- Top private schools: International School of Indiana (grade A+), Park Tudor School (grade A+), Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School (grade A+)
#5. Broad Ripple, Indiana
- Overall Rank: 657
- Population: 7,348
- Median household income: $104,212
- Median home value: $316,922 (62% own)
- Median rent: $1,514 (38% rent)
- Top public schools: Herron High School (grade A+), Herron-Riverside High School (grade A minus), Allisonville Elementary School (grade B+)
- Top private schools: International School of Indiana (grade A+), Park Tudor School (grade A+), Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School (grade A+)
#4. Winona Lake, Indiana
- Overall Rank: 628
- Population: 5,077
- Median household income: $77,305
- Median home value: $211,100 (65% own)
- Median rent: $1,000 (35% rent)
- Top public schools: Lincoln Elementary School (grade A), Edgewood Middle School (grade A), Eisenhower Elementary School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: Lakeland Christian Academy (grade B+), Sacred Heart Elementary School (grade unavailable), Pierceton Woods Academy (grade unavailable)
#3. Delaware Trails, Indiana
- Overall Rank: 579
- Population: 8,311
- Median household income: $87,985
- Median home value: $254,789 (72% own)
- Median rent: $941 (28% rent)
- Top public schools: Herron High School (grade A+), Herron-Riverside High School (grade A minus), Clearwater Elementary School (grade B+)
- Top private schools: International School of Indiana (grade A+), Park Tudor School (grade A+), Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School (grade A+)
#2. North Central, Indiana
- Overall Rank: 511
- Population: 6,706
- Median household income: $122,690
- Median home value: $399,660 (78% own)
- Median rent: $1,342 (22% rent)
- Top public schools: Herron High School (grade A+), Herron-Riverside High School (grade A minus), Allisonville Elementary School (grade B+)
- Top private schools: International School of Indiana (grade A+), Park Tudor School (grade A+), Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School (grade A+)
#1. Devon, Indiana
- Overall Rank: 445
- Population: 2,409
- Median household income: $104,748
- Median home value: $244,604 (93% own)
- Median rent: $962 (7% rent)
- Top public schools: Herron High School (grade A+), Herron-Riverside High School (grade A minus), Clearwater Elementary School (grade B+)
- Top private schools: International School of Indiana (grade A+), Park Tudor School (grade A+), Cathedral High School (grade A+)
This story features data reporting and writing by Elena Cox and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 42 states.
