Looking at The Hoosier City Area? Check Out 10 of the Best Cities Near Indianapolis

Indianapolis is a great place to live for people from all walks of life. Some of its top living perks include a vibrant downtown, great restaurants and entertainment, a rich sports culture, close proximity to other major cities, and a kind and hospitable community. But while living in the city may provide you with closer access to all its amenities and a quick commute to work, there are some disadvantages that drive people to settle down in smaller cities near Indianapolis instead. 

Best Places to Live Near the Indianapolis Area - FAQ

Q: What is the safest city near Indianapolis?
A: Zionsville is considered one of the safest areas near Indianapolis due to its low crime rates. 

Q: What are three cities that are north of Indianapolis?
A: Carmel, Fishers, and Noblesville are located in Hamilton county — just north of Indianapolis. 

Q: What towns are northeast of Indianapolis?
A: In addition to Fishers and Noblesville, Lawrence, Geist, McCordsville, and Fortville are all northeast of Indianapolis. 

Best Places to Live Near Indianapolis

Commonly referred to as the “Crossroads of America,” Indianapolis boasts a population of around 881,000. It’s a diverse city filled with great opportunities, and, fortunately, many of the surrounding areas replicate these same great qualities. Check out some of our favorite cities near Indianapolis.

1. Speedway, IN

Average rent (one bedroom): $1,025
Average home value: $239,200
Great for: Vibrant downtown area, schools, families, young professionals 
Commute into downtown Indianapolis: 20-minute drive

Speedway is actually named for the city's famous Indianapolis Motor Speedway! Although it’s typically home to about 13,700 residents, there are over a quarter million spectators who attend the Indy 500 each Memorial Day weekend (and even an estimated 325,000 in 2022).

Even though Speedway is where the IndyCar racing world is based, Main Street is the town's heart and soul. On any given day, you'll see people drinking beer on a restaurant patio, plenty of joggers, and kids riding their bikes.

Speedway is also home to several different public schools and an A+ school district, according to Niche. Speedway Senior High School was even recognized as a Blue Ribbon School in 2020 — a recognition reserved for schools that demonstrate academic excellence.

2. Greenwood, IN

Average rent (one bedroom): $1,225
Average home value: $317,600
Great for: Outdoor activities, tight-knit community, families, young professionals 
Commute into downtown Indianapolis: 25- to 30-minute drive

The city of Greenwood, Indiana, is located in Johnson County. It’s known to have a tight-knit community, with various family-friendly events taking place each year. Needless to say, there are plenty of opportunities to get involved and meet new people once you’re living there!

One of the most popular events that the city of Greenwood hosts is the annual Freedom Festival. It takes place around the Fourth of July, and features a variety of stellar food and music acts.

3. Zionsville, IN

Average rent (one bedroom): $1,650
Average home value: $578,200
Great for: Outdoor activities, schools, families, retirees 
Commute into downtown Indianapolis: 30-minute drive

The town of Zionsville, Indiana, has grown into a desirable location due to its small-town character and the development of its downtown area. It has maintained a blend of both rustic and modern elements, with historic buildings that are home to a variety of shops and stores. 

If you want to get outside, you’re in luck. The town has 500 acres of park land and 20 miles of trails to explore! The town's public parks include a variety of play and picnic areas, a skate park, a sledding hill, and a golf course. The Zionsville Nature Center is also a great facility set up to educate the public about the environment.

And the residents of Zionsville are very proud of their great school system, which has been recognized for its continuous award-winning excellence.

4. Meridian Hills, IN

Average rent (one bedroom): $1,200
Average home value: $642,600
Great for: Outdoor activities, country clubs, retirees 
Commute into downtown Indianapolis: 25-minute drive

The affluent community of Meridian Hills is located about nine miles from downtown Indianapolis and is full of families, empty-nesters, and young professionals alike. 

It’s situated in a beautiful area with clean streets and quiet neighborhoods. The 94-acre Holliday Park features a variety of activities and facilities, including a 13,000-square-foot nature center, several miles of trails, playgrounds, and gardens. Meridian Hills Country Club is also a hotspot for many residents, and it provides easy access to Monon Trail.

5. Westfield, IN 

Average rent (one bedroom): $1,625
Average home value: $441,700
Great for:  Family-friendly activities, schools, walkability, families, young professionals
Commute into downtown Indianapolis: 40-minute drive

Besides having great schools, the city of Westfield, Indiana, also has a variety of impressive employment opportunities and a family-friendly community.
In addition to the baseball fields, the famous Grand Park in the area has other facilities, such as a basketball complex, three indoor fields, and a large number of trails. It's also the largest youth sports complex in the country!

And as Westfield continues to grow, the city's beauty continues to evolve. Although it doesn't necessarily mean every business will have a full-scale landscaping campaign, the town is still a beautiful place overall. The infrastructure is well designed, and the roads are easy to navigate.

6. Brownsburg, IN 

Average rent (one bedroom): $1,375
Average home value: $336,600
Great for: Outdoor activities, families, young professionals 
Commute into downtown Indianapolis: 35-minute drive

Brownsburg, Indiana, is a small town that's just west of Indianapolis. I-74 runs through the town's northern section, making it easy to get to the city. On average, this trip takes around 35 minutes, depending on where you're going and where you live. The Indianapolis International Airport is also about 10 miles south of Brownsburg, ideal for people who travel frequently.

The town is also home to one of the largest municipal parks in the nation, Eagle Creek Park. This natural area encompasses a reservoir, as well as various trails and over 4,000 acres of land — making it the perfect place for residents to relax and unwind after a long day.

Those who live in the Brownsburg area can enjoy easy access to the city, but they also have the benefit of having more space in a rural area. The bigger populations of northern Indiana suburbs can bring heavy traffic, but you won’t have to worry about that. Fortunately for Brownsburg residents, they can enjoy the lighter congestion of the western side.

7. Pittsboro, IN 

Average rent (one bedroom): N/A
Average home value: $344,400
Great for:  History, close community, families, retirees 
Commute into downtown Indianapolis: 35- to 40-minute drive

While Pittsboro isn’t as big as some of the other cities on our list, it still contributes to the history of Indiana. It’s the former home of Jeff Gordon, one of the most prominent (now retired) race car drivers in the country. His racing skills are certainly unsurprising, given that the town is just outside of Brownsburg, where the Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park is located.

If you're looking for a small-town lifestyle, along with very quiet weekends, then Pittsboro might just be the place for you. 

8. Fishers, IN

Average rent (one bedroom): $1,500
Average home value: $414,100
Great for: Outdoor activities, entertainment, shopping, schools, families, young professionals 
Commute into downtown Indianapolis: 30-minute drive

If you’re looking for an area that’s beautiful, safe, and full of activities for the entire family, Fishers is perfect. Even if you’re single or retired, there are plenty of great opportunities to have fun and get out.

Whether you pay a visit to the area’s parks, outdoor entertainment areas, or shopping centers, you’ll have a great time. Need some ideas? Check out the Conner Prairie Museum, Fishers District, Flat Fork Creek Park, and the Nickel Plate District Amphitheater.

There’s also no shortage of great schools for kids of all ages. One of these is Fishers High School, which is ranked as one of the best in the state. The school has been Gold-Star designated, meaning they’ve met school counseling criteria and can give your kids a safe space to learn. And since Fishers is not as big as nearby places like Carmel, class sizes are smaller, meaning better learning opportunities from teachers and staff members.

9. Carmel, IN

Average rent (one bedroom): $1,600
Average home value: $531,500
Great for: Entertainment, art, schools, families, young professionals, retirees 
Commute into downtown Indianapolis: 30-minute drive

Although quality of life can be complex, it is easy to see why people in Carmel, Indiana, are so satisfied with theirs! There are many excellent schools, great art spaces, and safe neighborhoods. 

The city also has plenty of entertainment and cultural opportunities for its residents. You can explore the Carmel Arts & Design District if you’re a fan of the visual arts, along with The Cat theater and the Indiana Ballet Theatre. 

There are also numerous opportunities for students to receive a high-quality education, with several of the best schools right in the area.

10. Noblesville, IN

Average rent (one bedroom): $1,400
Average home value: $364,100
Great for: Shopping, outdoor activities, music, restaurants, families, young professionals
Commute into downtown Indianapolis: 40-minute drive

The city of Noblesville is located in the heart of Hamilton County and has something for everyone to enjoy. 

The historical downtown roots of the city provide visitors with unique experiences that can't usually be found elsewhere in the Indy area. For example, at the Hamilton Town Center, you can find access to over 80 designer stores and restaurants. 

As the only place in Hamilton County where the White River directly flows into, Noblesville has plenty of bodies of water that offer great places to hang out for those who love to go fishing and explore the outdoors.

Let PODS Help With Your Move

When you're ready to move to your dream place near Indy, you can rely on PODS to help you get there. They’ll deliver a portable container that’s ready to be packed and loaded on your own schedule. Once it’s ready, you can schedule a pickup and head to your new home. And with one month of storage included in every move, you can easily store all of your possessions when needed. 

Editor’s note: For ease of reading, monthly rental prices were rounded to the nearest $25 and home values were rounded to the nearest $100.