Indiana is a popular midwestern location in the United States. Whether you want to live in one of the largest cities, like Indianapolis, the state capital, or take it easy in small towns, relaxed suburbs, or rural farmland, there’s something for everyone in the Hoosier State.
We’ve got the inside scoop on the best Indiana cities for your home search. In our list of the 17 best places to buy homes for sale in Indiana, you’ll find valuable information, including the current population density and lifestyle, the median home values, the amenities, and the main recreational options available in these sought-after areas.
After you finish reading this guide, you’ll feel better prepared to decide where to live in Indiana. Let’s go!
17 Best Cities in Indiana
With over 600 places to live in Indiana, you may feel overwhelmed when researching your Indiana move. This list of cities in Indiana gives you the information you need to choose your future home location.
Indianapolis
Population: 887,661
Median Income: $61,944
Median Home Price: $232K
Indianapolis is the capital city, located right in central Indiana, in Marion County. For one of the most populous capital cities –there are 882,039 people living in Indianapolis according to the United States Census Bureau, the home prices are lower than the national average.
The city has plenty of natural beauty across many parks and green spaces, including White River State Park. There are also professional sports teams, with the Indianapolis Colts playing football and the Indiana Pacers playing basketball. Indianapolis also offers residents a great deal of job opportunities and a vibrant arts and culture scene. From museums and theaters to live music venues and street fairs, the city is a hub for all things creative
There are good public and private schools in Indianapolis, plus Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) and Butler University for higher education.
Fort Wayne
Population: 262,676
Median Income: $70,654
Median Home Price: $231.5K
Fort Wayne has a long history. It was built in 1974 by Anthony Wayne with the aim of safeguarding the region against potential British attacks.
This vibrant Allen County city has many diverse neighborhoods with a relatively low cost of living, including home prices, which are lower than average in the United States. The city limits contain more than 100 parks for outdoor activities. It also has the amenities you’d want in a city, like malls, shopping centers, museums, and the award-winning Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo.
Fort Wayne Community Schools provide quality education for younger children, with Indiana University–Purdue University Fort Wayne (IPFW) and the University of Saint Francis for higher education.
Evansville
Population: 116,486
Median Income: $42,623
Median Home Price: $186K
Evansville is in Vanderburgh County, on the border of Indiana and Kentucky, with sections near the Ohio River. Home prices are affordable, and there are many job opportunities due to Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indiana and Berry Global employing the majority of the population.
Wesselman Woods Nature Preserve is a beautiful natural location in Evansville, and the city has many other parks. They also have a zoo and botanical garden, plus art and history museums. The largest school district is the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation. It’s a college town, home to the University of Evansville and the University of Southern Indiana.
South Bend
Population: 103,353
Median Income: $42,657
Median Home Price: $165K
South Bend is a city near the border of Indiana and Michigan, about two hours from downtown Chicago, one of the most exciting cities. Housing is affordable in this city, so it’s a great place for young professionals and families. There are many natural areas and parks, such as Indiana Dunes National Park, due to its proximity to Lake Michigan.
There are noteworthy museums, like the Studebaker National Museum, which focuses on South Bend’s automotive history. The St Joseph County city has a good public school system, while the University of Notre Dame is a renowned university in South Bend. You can also attend Indiana University South Bend for higher education in this college town.
Hammond
Population: 76,984
Median Income: $46,974
Median Home Price: $156.8K
Hammond is a city on the border of Indiana and Illinois, close enough to be a suburb of downtown Chicago. This proximity makes it an affordable city to live in, whether you need a home base in Indiana or want to work in Chicago but pay a lower housing cost. Hammond real estate is part of Lake County, Indiana.
Hammond lies along the southern shore of Lake Michigan, bestowing upon it the characteristics of a charming beach town amidst the majestic Great Lakes. The Hammond Bird Sanctuary is also a great place to spend time in nature and learn about the local wildlife. The School City of Hammond provides quality elementary education, and Purdue University Northwest is also in the city.
Bloomington
Population: 80,064
Median Income: $62,744
Median Home Price: $335K
Bloomington is a city surrounded by nature, including Yellowwood State Forest, Morgan-Monroe State Forest, and Beanblossom Bottoms Nature Preserve. In addition to the natural beauty previously mentioned, Bloomington has boutique shops, art galleries, and museums. Indiana University hosts sporting events, concerts, and plays.
Bloomington, situated in Monroe County, IN, has highly rated elementary education, so many families settle here for the public schools. There are also private and charter schools. This city is also home to Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business, a prominent business school.
Carmel
Population: 98,137
Median Income: $167,227
Median Home Price: $489K
Carmel is north of Indianapolis, in Hamilton County, offering a suburban location while staying close to the big city’s amenities. The city has more than 1,600 acres of natural parkland, which includes bike paths, golf courses, and other outdoor activities. There are annual cultural events, like Carmel International Arts Festival, which includes music, exhibits, and retail markets for residents.
Carmel has a great public school system for elementary students. It’s close enough to Indianapolis to commute for school or college classes.
Muncie
Population: 65,292
Median Income: $34,602
Median Home Price: $130.4K
Muncie is a relatively small town in central Indiana, halfway between Indianapolis and Fort Wayne. Due to its lower population compared to many cities on this list, it also has an affordable cost of living. Minnetrista is a beautiful natural area in the city limits featuring gardens and walking paths. The city also has an impressive art gallery and many museums.
The Muncie Community Schools Corporation provides elementary education across Delaware County, while Ball State University is for higher education. The university also hosts many sports and music events.
Lafayette
Population: 70,835
Median Income: $46,925
Median Home Price: $220.7K
Lafayette is a city along the Wabash River with a mix of historic and modern homes for young professionals and families. There are many beautiful parks in Lafayette. The Columbian Park Zoo is a major attraction in Lafayette and all Tippecanoe County, along with the Tippecanoe Battlefield and many art museums.
The Lafayette School Corporation provides education for elementary-aged students. For higher education, you can attend Ivy Tech Community College or Purdue University, located in West Lafayette.
Terre Haute
Population: 58,252
Median Income: $37,299
Median Home Price: $136K
Terre Haute borders the Wabash River, not far from the state’s border with Illinois. The population, cost of living, and median home price here are about equal to other areas in Vigo County and some other small cities in Indiana. There are several art museums in Terre Haute, plus the Candles Holocaust Museum.
The Vigo County School Corporation provides public elementary education, though there are private schools, too. Indiana State University is the place to enroll in higher education.
Anderson
Population: 54,817
Median Income: $37,110
Median Home Price: $117.5K
Anderson, a lovely city in Madison County, isn’t far from Indianapolis, but it’s a smaller city, so the cost of living is lower. The real estate prices are more affordable, so it’s a great place to settle with a family. Mounds State Park is a natural attraction with Native American earthworks and educational opportunities. There are other cultural exhibits, like the annual African American Festival.
Regarding education, the Anderson Community School Corporation runs elementary schools, and Anderson University is the place to earn higher education degrees.
Fishers
Population: 101,171
Median Income: $108,361
Median Home Price: $385K
Fishers is an Indianapolis suburb, as it takes about 30 minutes to get to the capital. This proximity, along with recent population increases, makes the housing market incredibly competitive, so you’ll pay a high price to settle here with the affluent population. The area has countless parks with an involved trail network.
The Hamilton Southeastern School District runs the elementary schools in Fishers, along with Fishers High School, one of the best in the state. The school district also increases the real estate costs in this city.
Noblesville
Population: 70,926
Median Income: $85,314
Median Home Price: $354K
Noblesville is north of Carmel and Fishers, not far from Indianapolis. Like those other cities, the proximity to the capital increases the real estate prices. Downtown Noblesville has a bustling retail and restaurant scene, hosting a farmers market and annual festivals like the Street Dance. There are also many parks and forests to appreciate the city’s natural beauty.
The Noblesville schools don’t rank as highly as Fishers, but they offer advanced placement courses and fine arts programs to help students find their purpose. The higher education and vocational training option is Ivy Tech Community College.
Elkhart
Population: 53,949
Median Income: $40,101
Median Home Price: $207.5K
Situated in Elkhart County, Elkhart is east of South Bend, with the Elkhart and St. Joseph Rivers flowing through town. In the middle of these rivers is Island Park, a wonderful natural area. There are many other parks along the riverbanks, including the Wellfield Botanic Gardens.
The school district in this American community isn’t ranked as highly as many other cities on this list, but there are two vocational training centers: Ivy Tech Community College and the Elkhart Area Career Center.
Greenwood
Population: 64,918
Median Income: $66,103
Median Home Price: $284.8K
Greenwood is a fairly rural city south of Indianapolis, which explains why such a small town population-wise has such high real estate prices. The Johnson County city has many natural parks, plus a fun water park with slides and pools.
Public schools in Greenwood aren’t up to the standards of many cities on this list, so you might want to look into the local private schools for your children.
Columbus
Population: 50,569
Median Income: $67,387
Median Home Price: $248.8K
Columbus is a relatively rural city south of Indianapolis, between Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge and Brown County State Park. Mill Race Park and People Trails are popular spots for outdoor fun and picnics.
The city has a robust art scene, with 80 notable architectural works by names such as I.M. Pei and Harry Weese factoring into the city’s public art. The public schools in the area are decent, with Ivy Tech Community College and Purdue Polytechnic Columbus available for higher education and vocational training.
Jeffersonville
Population: 50,315
Median Income: $56,667
Median Home Price: $226K
Jeffersonville is at the Indiana and Kentucky border, ending at the Ohio River. The river provides much of the city’s natural beauty, such as the fossil beds at the Fall of the Ohio State Park. There’s also a steamboat museum and festival celebrating the impact the river made on the city.
The public schools of Greater Clark County Schools aren’t as highly ranked as other cities in Indiana, but there are many private school options.
FAQs: Indiana Cities
You’ve learned about some of the best cities in Indiana. If you need more information before making your move, check out the answers to these frequently asked questions.
What cities or towns are in Indiana?
There are many cities and towns in Indiana. In addition to the 17 on this list, you may also find the perfect home in places such as:
What are good cities to live in Indiana?
There are many good cities to live in Indiana, depending on what you want. If you want to live in a busy city, the capital of Indianapolis is a great choice. People who want to be near the action but in a quieter area may prefer Fishers, right outside of Indianapolis. Noblesville and Carmel are also close to the center of the state.
How many cities are in Indiana state?
According to the U.S. Census, there are 681 places to live in Indiana; 568 of them being incorporated places and 113 census designated places. Of the total of 568 incorporated places, 117 are Indiana cities, 450 of them are considered towns, and there’s one area outside of the municipalities of Indianapolis.
What are the closest states to Indiana?
Indiana touches four states: Ohio, Michigan, Kentucky, and Illinois. It also borders Lake Michigan.
What is the best city to move to in Indiana?
The best city in Indiana depends on your needs. For example, Indianapolis is the best choice if you want to live in an eventful area. People raising children may choose Carmel for its school districts.
What is the smallest city in Indiana?
The smallest city in Indiana is Swayzee. The land covers 299 acres, and only 910 people live there as of 2021.
What is the most visited city in Indiana?
Indianapolis is the most visited city in Indiana because it’s the state capital and home to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. There are many natural attractions, museums, and art galleries for tourists.
Is Indiana mostly urban or rural?
Indiana has over 600 cities, but most of the state is rural. All counties in the state have a mix of urban and rural areas. However, Marion County is the most urban, home to Indianapolis, and even that county has rural locations. Other counties with both rural and urban areas include Morgan County, and Wayne County.
Why are people moving to Indiana?
People move to Indiana because the state offers everything they want. They can choose to move to a big city and still have an affordable cost of living. They can move to a remote area and have plenty of land for their home. Indiana offers something for everyone.
Why Indiana Is a Great Choice to Call Home
Whether you want to live in one of the biggest cities, like Indianapolis, or settle on sprawling farmland in Greenwood, Indiana is a popular, affordable midwestern state.
Kickstart your move by searching for Indiana real estate in cities from this list. If after your explorations you discover a few properties to your liking and within your budget, contact a local eXp agent. An agent can help you narrow down your search and pick the property that meets your specific needs and preferences. Plus, if you’re not familiar with the various Indiana neighborhoods, an agent can offer valuable insights and guidance to help you make the best decision possible and assist you with the homebuying process.
