Best suburbs to live in Indiana
Cities may have the nightlife, but the convenience and affordability of the suburbs are becoming hot as the millennial generation moves into its homebuying phase. Even before the COVID-19 pandemic shook up workplace norms and superheated the housing market, folks have been flocking away from major urban centers.
In Colorado, for instance, lesser-known suburbs outside of Denver such as Boulder have become magnets for young parents, ranking among the biggest destinations for out-of-state millennials who chose to move in 2023. And companies are taking note of the trend as well: Many are establishing satellite offices and new headquarters in less urban areas.
Stacker compiled a list of the best suburbs to live in Indiana using data from Niche’s 2024 Best Places to Live. Niche ranks places to live based on an array of factors, including the cost of living, educational level of residents, housing costs, and quality of schools.
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#30. Bremen, Indiana
– Overall Rank: 2,013
– Population: 4,667
– Median household income: $63,179
– Median home value: $171,200 (62% own)
– Median rent: $876 (38% rent)
– Top public schools: Bremen Elementary/Middle School (grade B+), Bremen Senior High School (grade B+)
– Top private schools: Community Baptist Christian School (grade B), St. Jude Elementary School (grade unavailable), St. Michael School (grade unavailable)
#29. Shorewood Forest, Indiana
– Overall Rank: 1,912
– Population: 3,215
– Median household income: $166,563
– Median home value: $440,900 (100% own)
– Median rent: $1,773 (% rent)
– Top public schools: Heavilin Elementary School (grade A), Union Township Middle School (grade A minus), Union Center Elementary School (grade A minus)
– Top private schools: Andrean High School (grade A), Victory Christian Academy (grade B+), Portage Christian School (grade B+)
#28. Griffith, Indiana
– Overall Rank: 1,832
– Population: 16,182
– Median household income: $74,350
– Median home value: $182,800 (74% own)
– Median rent: $1,089 (26% rent)
– Top public schools: Lake Central High School (grade A), Homan Elementary School (grade A), Hal E. Clark Middle School (grade A)
– Top private schools: Andrean High School (grade A), Bishop Noll Institute (grade A), St. Francis de Sales High School (grade B+)
#27. Melody Hill, Indiana
– Overall Rank: 1,807
– Population: 3,448
– Median household income: $87,727
– Median home value: $179,700 (95% own)
– Median rent: $797 (5% rent)
– Top public schools: Signature School (grade A+), North High School (grade A minus), McCutchanville Elementary School (grade A minus)
– Top private schools: Evansville Day School (grade A), Reitz Memorial High School (grade A minus), Mater Dei High School (grade B+)
#26. Highland, Indiana
– Overall Rank: 1,805
– Population: 23,794
– Median household income: $74,991
– Median home value: $197,700 (79% own)
– Median rent: $1,216 (21% rent)
– Top public schools: Munster High School (grade A+), Wilbur Wright Middle School (grade A+), Ernest R. Elliott Elementary School (grade A)
– Top private schools: Andrean High School (grade A), Bishop Noll Institute (grade A), St. Francis de Sales High School (grade B+)
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#25. Bargersville, Indiana
– Overall Rank: 1,590
– Population: 9,520
– Median household income: $102,045
– Median home value: $366,000 (74% own)
– Median rent: $1,299 (26% rent)
– Top public schools: Center Grove Middle School Central (grade A), Maple Grove Elementary School (grade A), Center Grove Elementary School (grade A)
– Top private schools: Calvary Christian School (grade B+), Greenwood Christian Academy (grade B+), Suburban Christian School (grade B)
#24. Plainfield, Indiana
– Overall Rank: 1,549
– Population: 35,078
– Median household income: $77,249
– Median home value: $238,000 (63% own)
– Median rent: $1,248 (37% rent)
– Top public schools: Lincoln Elementary (grade A+), Plainfield Community Middle School (grade A), Central Elementary School (grade A)
– Top private schools: Cardinal Ritter High School (grade A), MTI School of Knowledge (grade A), Roncalli High School (grade A)
#23. Huntertown, Indiana
– Overall Rank: 1,543
– Population: 9,090
– Median household income: $102,067
– Median home value: $225,100 (91% own)
– Median rent: $1,557 (9% rent)
– Top public schools: Arcola School (grade A), Carroll High School (grade A), Hickory Center Elementary School (grade A)
– Top private schools: Canterbury School (grade A+), Oak Farm Montessori School (grade A), Concordia Lutheran High School (grade A minus)
#22. Speedway, Indiana
– Overall Rank: 1,526
– Population: 13,646
– Median household income: $52,627
– Median home value: $178,000 (46% own)
– Median rent: $1,040 (54% rent)
– Top public schools: Lincoln Elementary (grade A+), Herron High School (grade A+), Arthur C. Newby Elementary School (grade A)
– Top private schools: International School of Indiana (grade A+), Park Tudor School (grade A+), Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School (grade A+)
#21. Osceola, Indiana
– Overall Rank: 1,425
– Population: 2,589
– Median household income: $60,597
– Median home value: $146,600 (84% own)
– Median rent: $1,324 (16% rent)
– Top public schools: Penn High School (grade A), Moran Elementary School (grade A), Elm Road Elementary School (grade A)
– Top private schools: Trinity School at Greenlawn (grade A+), Saint Joseph High School (grade A), Marian High School (grade A)
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#20. Schererville, Indiana
– Overall Rank: 1,287
– Population: 29,573
– Median household income: $79,662
– Median home value: $281,100 (79% own)
– Median rent: $1,145 (21% 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+)
#19. Crown Point, Indiana
– Overall Rank: 1,285
– Population: 33,735
– Median household income: $92,810
– Median home value: $250,800 (86% own)
– Median rent: $1,239 (14% rent)
– Top public schools: Heavilin Elementary School (grade A), Jerry Ross Elementary School (grade A), Timothy Ball Elementary School (grade A)
– Top private schools: Andrean High School (grade A), Illiana Christian High School (grade B+), Calumet Christian School (grade B+)
#18. Ogden Dunes, Indiana
– Overall Rank: 1,230
– Population: 1,219
– Median household income: $129,375
– Median home value: $414,300 (96% own)
– Median rent: $988 (4% rent)
– Top public schools: Discovery Charter School (grade B+), Portage High School (grade B), Steel City Academy (grade C+)
– Top private schools: Portage Christian School (grade B+), St. Patrick Elementary School (grade unavailable), Ambassador Academy (grade unavailable)
#17. St. John, Indiana
– Overall Rank: 1,090
– 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+)
#16. Valparaiso, Indiana
– Overall Rank: 1,081
– 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)
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#15. Avon, Indiana
– Overall Rank: 1,025
– Population: 21,783
– Median household income: $98,162
– Median home value: $272,800 (72% own)
– Median rent: $1,413 (28% rent)
– Top public schools: Brownsburg East Middle School (grade A+), White Lick Elementary School (grade A+), Lincoln Elementary (grade A+)
– Top private schools: Cardinal Ritter High School (grade A), MTI School of Knowledge (grade A), Traders Point Christian Schools (grade A minus)
#14. Chesterton, Indiana
– Overall Rank: 1,024
– Population: 14,191
– Median household income: $90,753
– Median home value: $265,800 (71% own)
– Median rent: $1,107 (29% rent)
– Top public schools: Heavilin Elementary School (grade A), Liberty Intermediate School (grade A), Jackson Elementary School (grade A)
– Top private schools: Marquette Catholic High School (grade A+), Victory Christian Academy (grade B+), Portage Christian School (grade B+)
#13. Dyer, Indiana
– Overall Rank: 996
– Population: 16,407
– Median household income: $98,631
– Median home value: $272,900 (89% own)
– Median rent: $1,141 (11% rent)
– Top public schools: George Bibich Elementary School (grade A), Lake Central High School (grade A), James H. Watson Elementary School (grade A)
– Top private schools: Marian Catholic High School (grade A), Illinois Lutheran High School (grade A minus), Illiana Christian High School (grade B+)
#12. Whitestown, Indiana
– Overall Rank: 916
– 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+)
#11. McCordsville, Indiana
– Overall Rank: 892
– Population: 9,098
– Median household income: $103,539
– Median home value: $298,800 (89% own)
– Median rent: $1,093 (11% rent)
– Top public schools: Southeastern Elementary School (grade A), New Palestine Intermediate School (grade A), Mt. Vernon Middle School (grade B+)
– Top private schools: Cathedral High School (grade A+), Eman Schools (grade A+), Cornerstone Baptist Academy (grade A)
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#10. Pittsboro, Indiana
– Overall Rank: 877
– 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)
#9. Noblesville, Indiana
– Overall Rank: 536
– 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+)
#8. Brownsburg, Indiana
– Overall Rank: 411
– Population: 29,379
– Median household income: $101,883
– Median home value: $253,700 (71% own)
– Median rent: $1,318 (29% rent)
– Top public schools: Brownsburg East Middle School (grade A+), Eagle Elementary School (grade A+), Reagan Elementary School (grade A+)
– Top private schools: International School of Indiana (grade A+), Cardinal Ritter High School (grade A), MTI School of Knowledge (grade A)
#7. Meridian Hills, Indiana
– Overall Rank: 376
– Population: 1,745
– Median household income: $198,889
– Median home value: $648,400 (100% own)
– Median rent: $2,667 (% rent)
– Top public schools: Herron High School (grade A+), North Central 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+)
#6. Granger, Indiana
– Overall Rank: 257
– Population: 30,019
– Median household income: $112,734
– Median home value: $279,800 (95% own)
– Median rent: $1,424 (5% rent)
– Top public schools: Northpoint Elementary School (grade A), Discovery Middle School (grade A), Prairie Vista Elementary School (grade A)
– Top private schools: Trinity School at Greenlawn (grade A+), Saint Joseph High School (grade A), Marian High School (grade A)
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#5. Munster, Indiana
– Overall Rank: 234
– Population: 23,731
– Median household income: $101,851
– Median home value: $282,200 (87% own)
– Median rent: $1,230 (13% rent)
– Top public schools: Munster High School (grade A+), Wilbur Wright Middle School (grade A+), Frank H. Hammond Elementary School (grade A)
– Top private schools: Marian Catholic High School (grade A), Bishop Noll Institute (grade A), Illinois Lutheran High School (grade A minus)
#4. Westfield, Indiana
– Overall Rank: 179
– 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+)
#3. Zionsville, Indiana
– Overall Rank: 123
– 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+)
#2. Fishers, Indiana
– Overall Rank: 31
– Population: 99,041
– Median household income: $126,548
– Median home value: $339,000 (77% own)
– Median rent: $1,478 (23% rent)
– Top public schools: Herron High School (grade A+), Hoosier Road Elementary School (grade A), Hamilton Southeastern Intermediate / Junior High (grade A)
– Top private schools: Park Tudor School (grade A+), Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School (grade A+), Cathedral High School (grade A+)
#1. Carmel, Indiana
– Overall Rank: 1
– Population: 99,453
– Median household income: $132,859
– Median home value: $425,900 (75% own)
– Median rent: $1,499 (25% rent)
– Top public schools: Carmel High School (grade A+), Creekside Middle School (grade A+), West Clay Elementary School (grade A+)
– Top private schools: International School of Indiana (grade A+), Park Tudor School (grade A+), Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School (grade A+)
This story features data reporting and writing by Elena Cox and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 40 states.
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By Stacker
