The GI Bill of Rights, Ike's interstate system, suburban development, and the growing affordability of cars allowed the suburbs to flourish throughout the mid-20th century. During this era, a new American Dream was established: one with single-family homes, white picket fences, and lush green lawns.
Today, however, the traditional suburb may no longer cater to what 79% of Americans want: walkability. Younger people are especially attracted to neighborhoods where stores, restaurants, and other amenities are a short walk away, according to a National Association of Realtors survey released in 2023. But a good location comes with a cost.
A Redfin analysis showed homes in 2019 in walkable areas sold for almost 25% more than homes without the same walkability, equivalent to nearly $78,000 more in the national average. Some suburbs offer the amenities of city life, whether through easy transit to big cities (such as Wilmette, Illinois, with easy proximity to Chicago), or college-town amenities such as those found in Claremont, California.
What individual families and people look for in a suburb will vary, of course, with some prioritizing quiet and extra space, even if that means driving more often.
Stacker used data from Niche to examine the best suburbs in Indianapolis. Niche ranked suburbs across the U.S. based on several factors, including diversity, the cost of living, the share of the population with college degrees, and the quality of schools and housing.
Read on to see the highest-ranked suburbs in Indianapolis.
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1 / 19#19. Pendleton, Indiana
- Population: 4,937
- Median home value: $214,600
- Median rental price: $1,064
- Top schools nearby: Southeastern Elementary School (grade A), Pendleton Heights Middle School (grade B+), Pendleton Elementary School (grade B+)
- Top private schools nearby: Eman Schools (grade A+), Legacy Christian School (grade A), Liberty Christian School (grade B)
- Overall Niche grade: A−
--- Weather grade: B−
--- Cost of living grade: A−
--- Outdoor activities grade: C+
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2 / 19#18. Danville, Indiana
- Population: 10,842
- Median home value: $232,300
- Median rental price: $1,107
- Top schools nearby: Lincoln Elementary (grade A+), Avon High School (grade A), Avon Middle School North (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Covenant Christian High School (grade A−), Crosspointe Christian Academy (grade A−), Bethesda Christian Schools (grade B+)
- Overall Niche grade: A−
--- Weather grade: B−
--- Cost of living grade: A−
--- Outdoor activities grade: C+
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3 / 19#17. New Whiteland, Indiana
- Population: 5,591
- Median home value: $170,200
- Median rental price: $1,214
- Top schools nearby: Walnut Grove Elementary School (grade A), Clark-Pleasant Middle School (grade A−), Grassy Creek Elementary School (grade A−)
- Top private schools nearby: Roncalli High School (grade A), Lutheran High School of Indianapolis (grade A−), Calvary Christian School (grade B+)
- Overall Niche grade: A−
--- Weather grade: B−
--- Cost of living grade: A−
--- Outdoor activities grade: B+
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4 / 19#16. Lawrence, Indiana
- Population: 49,218
- Median home value: $193,100
- Median rental price: $1,064
- Top schools nearby: Herron High School (grade A+), Southeastern Elementary School (grade A), New Palestine Intermediate School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: International School of Indiana (grade A+), Park Tudor School (grade A+), Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A−
--- Weather grade: B−
--- Cost of living grade: A−
--- Outdoor activities grade: B
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5 / 19#15. Clermont, Indiana
- Population: 1,624
- Median home value: $166,400
- Median rental price: $977
- Top schools nearby: Brownsburg East Middle School (grade A+), Eagle Elementary School (grade A+), White Lick Elementary School (grade A+)
- Top private schools nearby: International School of Indiana (grade A+), Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School (grade A+), University High School of Indiana (grade A)
- Overall Niche grade: A−
--- Weather grade: B−
--- Cost of living grade: A−
--- Outdoor activities grade: B
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6 / 19#14. Greenwood, Indiana
- Population: 63,579
- Median home value: $226,500
- Median rental price: $1,200
- Top schools nearby: Herron High School (grade A+), Center Grove Middle School Central (grade A), Maple Grove Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Roncalli High School (grade A), Lutheran High School of Indianapolis (grade A−), Providence Cristo Rey High School (grade A−)
- Overall Niche grade: A−
--- Weather grade: B−
--- Cost of living grade: B+
--- Outdoor activities grade: B+
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7 / 19#13. Bargersville, Indiana
- Population: 9,520
- Median home value: $366,000
- Median rental price: $1,299
- Top schools nearby: Center Grove Middle School Central (grade A), Maple Grove Elementary School (grade A), Center Grove Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Calvary Christian School (grade B+), Greenwood Christian Academy (grade B+), Suburban Christian School (grade B)
- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: B−
--- Cost of living grade: B
--- Outdoor activities grade: B+
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8 / 19#12. Plainfield, Indiana
- Population: 35,078
- Median home value: $238,000
- Median rental price: $1,248
- Top schools nearby: Lincoln Elementary (grade A+), Plainfield Community Middle School (grade A), Central Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Cardinal Ritter High School (grade A), MTI School of Knowledge (grade A), Roncalli High School (grade A)
- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: B−
--- Cost of living grade: B+
--- Outdoor activities grade: C+
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9 / 19#11. Speedway, Indiana
- Population: 13,646
- Median home value: $178,000
- Median rental price: $1,040
- Top schools nearby: Lincoln Elementary (grade A+), Herron High School (grade A+), Arthur C. Newby Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: International School of Indiana (grade A+), Park Tudor School (grade A+), Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: B−
--- Cost of living grade: B+
--- Outdoor activities grade: B
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10 / 19#10. Avon, Indiana
- Population: 21,783
- Median home value: $272,800
- Median rental price: $1,413
- Top schools nearby: Brownsburg East Middle School (grade A+), White Lick Elementary School (grade A+), Lincoln Elementary (grade A+)
- Top private schools nearby: Cardinal Ritter High School (grade A), MTI School of Knowledge (grade A), Traders Point Christian Schools (grade A−)
- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: B−
--- Cost of living grade: B
--- Outdoor activities grade: B
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11 / 19#9. Whitestown, Indiana
- Population: 10,253
- Median home value: $322,700
- Median rental price: $1,619
- Top schools nearby: Brownsburg East Middle School (grade A+), Zionsville Community High School (grade A+), Reagan Elementary School (grade A+)
- Top private schools nearby: International School of Indiana (grade A+), Park Tudor School (grade A+), Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: B−
--- Cost of living grade: B
--- Outdoor activities grade: B
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12 / 19#8. McCordsville, Indiana
- Population: 9,098
- Median home value: $298,800
- Median rental price: $1,093
- Top schools nearby: Southeastern Elementary School (grade A), New Palestine Intermediate School (grade A), Mt. Vernon Middle School (grade B+)
- Top private schools nearby: Cathedral High School (grade A+), Eman Schools (grade A+), Cornerstone Baptist Academy (grade A)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: B−
--- Cost of living grade: B+
--- Outdoor activities grade: B
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13 / 19#7. Pittsboro, Indiana
- Population: 3,814
- Median home value: $251,000
- Median rental price: $1,012
- Top schools nearby: Brownsburg East Middle School (grade A+), Delaware Trail Elementary School (grade A+), Lincoln Elementary (grade A+)
- Top private schools nearby: MTI School of Knowledge (grade A), Traders Point Christian Schools (grade A−), Covenant Christian High School (grade A−)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: B−
--- Cost of living grade: A
--- Outdoor activities grade: B
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14 / 19#6. Noblesville, Indiana
- Population: 70,442
- Median home value: $295,700
- Median rental price: $1,202
- Top schools nearby: Hamilton Southeastern Intermediate / Junior High (grade A), Southeastern Elementary School (grade A), Fishers Junior High School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Park Tudor School (grade A+), Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School (grade A+), Cathedral High School (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: B−
--- Cost of living grade: B+
--- Outdoor activities grade: B
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15 / 19#5. Brownsburg, Indiana
- Population: 29,379
- Median home value: $253,700
- Median rental price: $1,318
- Top schools nearby: Brownsburg East Middle School (grade A+), Eagle Elementary School (grade A+), Reagan Elementary School (grade A+)
- Top private schools nearby: International School of Indiana (grade A+), Cardinal Ritter High School (grade A), MTI School of Knowledge (grade A)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: B−
--- Cost of living grade: B+
--- Outdoor activities grade: B+
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16 / 19#4. Meridian Hills, Indiana
- Population: 1,745
- Median home value: $648,400
- Median rental price: $2,667
- Top schools nearby: Herron High School (grade A+), North Central High School (grade A), Herron-Riverside High School (grade A−)
- Top private schools nearby: International School of Indiana (grade A+), Park Tudor School (grade A+), Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: B−
--- Cost of living grade: B+
--- Outdoor activities grade: B
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17 / 19#3. Westfield, Indiana
- Population: 48,262
- Median home value: $364,400
- Median rental price: $1,444
- Top schools nearby: Carmel High School (grade A+), Westfield High School (grade A+), Westfield Intermediate School (grade A+)
- Top private schools nearby: Park Tudor School (grade A+), Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School (grade A+), Cathedral High School (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: B−
--- Cost of living grade: B
--- Outdoor activities grade: B
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18 / 19#2. Zionsville, Indiana
- Population: 30,832
- Median home value: $493,900
- Median rental price: $1,536
- Top schools nearby: Carmel High School (grade A+), Brownsburg East Middle School (grade A+), Creekside Middle School (grade A+)
- Top private schools nearby: International School of Indiana (grade A+), Park Tudor School (grade A+), Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: B−
--- Cost of living grade: B
--- Outdoor activities grade: B
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19 / 19#1. Fishers, Indiana
- Population: 99,041
- Median home value: $339,000
- Median rental price: $1,478
- Top schools nearby: Herron High School (grade A+), Hoosier Road Elementary School (grade A), Hamilton Southeastern Intermediate / Junior High (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Park Tudor School (grade A+), Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School (grade A+), Cathedral High School (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: B−
--- Cost of living grade: B
--- Outdoor activities grade: B+
This story features data reporting and writing by Emma Rubin and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 67 metros.
