Living in Indianapolis, IN, known as 'The Crossroads of America,' offers a unique blend of Midwestern charm and urban amenities. Located in central Indiana, Indianapolis is a large city that serves as a major economic and cultural hub. Major nearby cities like Chicago and Louisville enhance its status as a central point in the region. Indianapolis's blend of historic landmarks, cultural festivals, and urban amenities creates a distinctive living experience.
Indianapolis is home to several notable landmarks, including the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the Indiana State Museum, and the Indianapolis Zoo. The city offers a variety of attractions, from the beautiful White River State Park to the bustling Mass Ave Arts District, which features trendy shops, restaurants, and theaters. Indianapolis's dining scene is renowned for its farm-to-table cuisine and diverse food options.
Annual events such as the Indianapolis 500 and the Indiana State Fair highlight the city's vibrant cultural scene and provide unique entertainment opportunities for residents and visitors. These events celebrate Indianapolis's rich cultural heritage and community spirit. Major institutions like Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) and Butler University contribute to the city's academic and cultural vibrancy, fostering a thriving intellectual community.
The arts and culture scene in Indianapolis is diverse and dynamic, with numerous theaters, music venues, and art galleries. The Indianapolis Museum of Art and the Hilbert Circle Theatre are just a few of the cultural landmarks that showcase the city's commitment to the arts. Living in Indianapolis provides ample opportunities to engage with art, music, and theater, making it an exciting place to call home.
Indianapolis’s community is welcoming and diverse, creating a friendly environment for newcomers. The city is home to professional sports teams like the Colts (NFL) and the Pacers (NBA), providing plenty of excitement for sports fans. Major industries in Indianapolis include healthcare, finance, and education, with significant employers such as Eli Lilly and Company and Indiana University Health driving economic growth. The city has extensive public transit options, including buses and a developing light rail system, making it easier for residents to navigate the city.
Amenities
Within the vicinity, you'll find a wealth of amenities, from restaurants and coffee shops to grocery stores and local shops, all easily accessible on foot.
Commute
High scores in the commute category could indicate that this area offers short commute times to work and readily available public transportation options.
Cost Of Living
Residents in this area benefit from an affordable cost of living. This includes goods and services, transportation, housing, utilities, groceries and healthcare.
Housing
The housing category in this area boasts higher than average scores, likely influenced by a positive home affordability ratio, robust appreciation rates or elevated home values.
Health & Safety
Earning a high health and safety score depends on factors such as good air quality and the availability of essential health facilities like hospitals, clinics, doctors, and fire stations.
Crime
High crime rates per 100,000 people are reported in this area, potentially indicating that it is an unsafe place to live. These statistics consider both violent and property offenses.
Ratings
Polls and surveys done by AreaVibes among area residents did not yield positive feedback when it came to the walkability of amenities, safety, nearby parks and the overall sense of community.
Indianapolis, Indiana is a highly populated city with a population of 869,387 residents. Indianapolis is mostly populated by White (59%) and Black or African American (29%) ethnic groups. Indianapolis is not known to have a high population (over 15 years old) of married people. At only 45% married, this city falls well below the national average. Long commute times to work can be incredibly frustrating, ranking just behind housework on the list of life's annoyances. If you opt to make Indianapolis your home, your one-way commute time will typically last around 24 minutes, a duration that aligns with the national average commute time of 26 minutes.
Whether you’re relocating to a new town to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Indianapolis could be a positive experience compared to other cities in Indiana if you know where to search. Don't forget to determine what matters most to you in a neighborhood. Consider factors such as safety, proximity to work or school, access to amenities (like parks, fitness facilities, grocery stores, restaurants), public transportation options, community atmosphere and the overall vibe you're looking for. With useful information like crime, cost of living, commute, health & safety, employment and other key data points, finding the best places to live in Indianapolis and in the areas around Indianapolis is a much easier task.
Using data and statistics Indianapolis has received a livability score of 77/100. This score is ranked in the 92nd percentile when compared to all other cities. Compared to the national average, Indianapolis ranks among some of the best places to live in the country! Another exciting tidbit, is that Indianapolis ranks better than 90% of all US cities! For each of the livability categories, we know that Indianapolis ranks very well for cost of living (A+) and housing (A). There are some categories that Indianapolis ranks poorly for, including: crime (F) and employment (D). It might be worth taking a closer look to find out why.
Indianapolis has many conveniently situated amenities and captivating attractions that adds to the continuous enjoyment of your everyday life. Having the assurance of abundant conveniences and a wide array of activities ensures your easy access to nearby grocery stores, restaurants, bars, fitness facilities, coffee shops and exciting entertainment options. This not only simplifies daily routines but also fosters a vibrant and dynamic lifestyle within the community. With a wealth of resources at your fingertips, you can savor the convenience and variety that Indianapolis has to offer, making it a desirable destination for those seeking both accessibility and enjoyment in their daily lives. Here are some of the more popular things to do in Indianapolis: Children's Museum of Indianapolis, Indianapolis Zoo, and Lucas Oil Stadium.
A healthy real estate market serves as a key economic indicator. It could signify overall local economic strength, stability and reflects consumer confidence in the area. Based on multiple factors including: median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability, Indianapolis has received high marks in the housing category. Based on these calculations, the apartment rental and real estate market appears to be very healthy.
Certain items on your wish list like shopping, restaurants, nightlife, parks and proximity to public transportation are all important things to look for. Having said that, perhaps the most important metric to consider when contemplating a move to Indianapolis is real estate affordability. The median home price for Indianapolis homes is $145,200, which is 14.8% higher than the Indiana average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Indianapolis, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 2.9, which is 16% higher than the Indiana average.
| Statistic | Indianapolis | Indiana | National |
| Average one way commute | 24min | 23min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 79.8% | 83.0% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 9.2% | 8.9% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 1.6% | 1.1% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.4% | 0.5% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 2.0% | 2.1% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 6.0% | 3.5% | 4.6% |
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