The Best Neighborhoods in Indianapolis: 10 of the Hoosier State’s Finest

Indianapolis is best described as a big city with a small-town feel, and its quaint nicknames reflect that vibe: Railroad City, the Crossroads of America, and Circle City, to name a few. And like its nicknames, the best neighborhoods in Indianapolis offer a diverse mix of character, history, and amenities. Whether you’re looking for a trendy arts district or a quiet suburban community, you’ll find plenty of options throughout Indianapolis neighborhoods. 

There are also lots of pros to consider as you’re exploring this Midwestern hub. Transportation is well-developed across Indianapolis, making it easy to get around by bus, bike, or car. The city also has a resilient economy, with major industries such as manufacturing and life sciences driving growth that’s slightly more positive than the national outlook. The cost of living is about 14 percent lower than the U.S. average index, but a smidge higher than the rest of Indiana (2.4 percent). Homes are affordable in the best neighborhoods in Indianapolis, with the average home value sitting at $233,800, compared with $368,600 nationally. 

But the best part of settling down in one of the charming Indianapolis neighborhoods? The community is welcoming, and it’s easy to find a place to call home not far from the intown hustle and bustle. If you’re thinking about moving to the Indy area, here are 10 of the best neighborhoods in Indianapolis you’ll want to check out.

Best Neighborhoods in Indianapolis, IN

Fun fact: Indianapolis is the most affordable city for a single person to live comfortably in the U.S., but the 28th most affordable for a family of four. Many of the surrounding suburbs and even some of the best neighborhoods in Indianapolis score well on the affordability scale — and with an abundance of cultural activities, dining options, parks, and community events, there are Indianapolis neighborhoods to fit pretty much any lifestyle. Here are a few of our favorites.

Fountain Square, one of the most quaint of all Indianapolis neighborhoods, has a distinctly European vibe. 
(Source: Fountain Square Theatre Building via Facebook)

1. Fountain Square 

• Average rent (one bedroom): $1,625
• Average home value: $266,000
• Great for: Commuters, young professionals, diversity, restaurants, shopping, families, retirees
• Commute to Downtown: 10-minute drive

One of the best Indianapolis neighborhoods for young professionals is Fountain Square, which features modern amenities, beautiful lofts, and vintage charm. It's only a 10-minute drive from downtown Indianapolis — and it’s also an easy bike ride for ambitious workers who want some exercise. 

The Fountain Square, Indianapolis, neighborhood has a European feel during the day, but the area’s nightlife brings out its retro side, with plenty of neon signs and glowing fountains to admire while you’re out on the town. The heart of the hood is the Murphy Arts Center, a 57,000-square-foot hub of studios, restaurants, and a music venue. Stop in at Square Cat Vinyl for the latest albums — and stick around for coffee or a live show.

2. Irvington

• Average rent (one bedroom): $975
• Average home value: $216,100
• Great for: Green parks, history, young professionals, retirees
• Commute to Downtown: 15-minute drive

Founded way back in 1870, Irvington was one of the city’s first planned suburbs, but the district has evolved into one of the most charming Indianapolis neighborhoods. Added bonus: Irvington ranks a respectable No. 13 among the city’s most affordable hoods. Locals enjoy restaurants and shops from the vintage goods and arts events at Hampton & Co, inside the historic Masonic Lodge, to the Greek cuisine at The Med and tasty pies at Jockamo Upper Crust Pizza.

Irvington, like many Indianapolis neighborhoods, is home to many annual community events, including the Winter Luminaria, a nearly 40-year tradition that lights up the neighborhood on the Sunday before Christmas Eve. During the warmer months, head to the farmers market at Ellenberger Park — and stick around for a dip in the community pool. 

3. Wynnedale-Spring Hill 

• Average rent (one bedroom): $1,075
• Average home value: $223,800
• Great for: Public schools, families, nightlife, diversity
• Commute to Downtown: 12-minute drive

About 10 miles northwest of Downtown Indy, the Wynnedale-Spring Hill neighborhood tops the Niche list of best neighborhoods in Indianapolis to live — a high honor in a competitive field. The area is big on suburban vibes, with tidy yards and mid-century ranch-style homes mingled with newer construction here and there. Schools have also earned Niche’s stellar A+ mark, which attracts families in search of a cozy community within an easy commute to downtown amenities. But you don’t have to leave the neighborhood to find a good meal — Cafe Patachou, for instance, a locally owned chain that’s earned kudos from the likes of Bon Appetit for its stellar breakfast. 

The White River provides lots of recreational options for Wynnedale-Spring Hill residents, including Riverside Park’s sports fields, amphitheatre, and the 1.5-mile Promenade Trail. On the site of the park’s former golf course, the Riverside Adventure Park now welcomes kids instead of caddies with lots of new playground equipment, four miles of trails, and shady pavilions for special events. 

Broad Ripple is one of the more affordable, eclectic favorites among the best neighborhoods in Indianapolis. 
(Source: Keller & Corbett Real Estate via Facebook)

4. Broad Ripple 

• Average rent (one bedroom): $1,450
• Average home value: $338,600
• Great for: Nightlife, breweries, shopping, restaurants, pet-friendly parks, young professionals
• Commute to Downtown: 20-minute drive

Named for a particularly wavy section of the White River, Broad Ripple has an artsy, independent vibe, reflected in its central retail village and in community events like the annual Duck Race and 5K. The 20-mile Monon Trail runs right through the neighborhood center, attracting bicyclists and hikers on the former railroad path for a quick stroll or an all-day walkabout. Besides the Monon Trail, green spaces abound for outdoor aficionados at Broad Ripple Park, which has a community swimming pool, a gorgeous pollinator garden of wildflowers, and trails through the 10 Acre Woods.  

Residents in Broad Ripple, rated No. 4 among the best places to live in Indianapolis, run the gamut from young artists and musicians to established professionals, retirees, and families. Home options are also diverse. Modest condos are common, but on the elegant tree-lined Cornell Avenue, you’ll find estates approaching the million-dollar mark. But that doesn’t mean the neighborhood is dull. Broad Ripple delivers lots of options for shopping, dancing, and drinking, with fun boutiques like Lola Blu (your puppers are welcome) and the Broad Ripple Brewpub, Indiana’s first brewpub and the oldest brewery in the entire U.S. 

5. North Central 

• Average rent (one bedroom): $1,250
• Average home value: $436,900
• Great for: Public schools, families, nightlife, diversity
• Commute to Downtown: 25-minute drive

Just 11 miles from Downtown Indy, North Central is another one of the Indianapolis neighborhoods framed by the Monon Trail — in this case, snaking along the White River at the district’s western edge. The area has earned its ranking as the No. 2 best neighborhood in Indianapolis thanks to its variety of home styles (although overwhelmingly owner-occupied with minimal rental properties) and excellent public schools. 

While Broad Ripple Park and the Marott Woods Nature Preserve are popular destinations for North Central folks, Eagle Creek Park takes the title of largest greenspace in all of the Indy area. The park covers more than 5,000 acres and offers boating, fishing, hiking, and lots of wildlife, including the park’s namesake eagles — so don’t forget to look up. After all the outdoor fitness, check out Daredevil Hall, a sports bar with tasty dishes and lots of housemade brews.

6. Castleton

• Average rent (one bedroom): $1,350
• Average home value: $249,500
• Great for: Commuters, shopping, tight-knit community, young professionals
• Commute to Downtown: 25-minute drive

In need of retail therapy? You’ll love this neighborhood’s easy access to Castleton Square, the biggest mall in the Hoosier State, with 130 stores and counting. But there’s more to the Castleton neighborhood than shopping: it’s one of the best places in Indianapolis to live. Located about a half-hour north of Downtown, this community of some of the most modestly priced homes in many Indianapolis neighborhoods is popular with young professionals and families. 

Schools get an above-average grade of B from Niche, and there’s an abundance of sports fields for Friday night lights and green spaces for weekend picnics. Sahm Park is a favorite, featuring 85 acres of green space, a massive community pool and aquatic center, disc golf, trails, playgrounds, and more. 

Mapleton-Fall Creek has undergone a remarkable transformation over the past 20 years, preserving the history of the area and creating a thriving community. 
(Source: Natalie Clayton, Founder & Broker, Maywright Property Co. via Facebook)

7. Mapleton-Fall Creek

• Average rent (one bedroom): $1,250
• Average home value: $254,100
• Great for: Families, nightlife, diversity, young professionals
• Commute to Downtown: 12-minute drive

Just a few miles north of Downtown Indy, Mapleton-Fall Creek has undergone a remarkable transformation in the past 20 years, thanks to urban pioneers looking to preserve the history of the area and create a new, thriving community. From blocks of abandoned homes and shuttered businesses, Mapleton-Fall Creek has become one of the best neighborhoods in Indianapolis — an active community of young families, professionals, and artists in a diverse, eclectic setting. 

Walkable, bike-friendly streets are shaded and lined with local small businesses like Goose the Market, an artisan gourmet grocer for wine, sandwiches, and other goodies. At Tea’s Me Cafe Indy, a quaint cafe owned by former WNBA star, Hall of Famer, and four-time Olympic gold medalist Tamika Catchings, guests enjoy loose-leaf tea from all over the world — but don’t leave without fresh pastries. Along with an easy commute to Downtown, Mapleton-Fall Creek appeals to young professionals with an eclectic mix of local retail, like Indy Reads, an independent bookstore that also hosts literacy classes and various arts events.

8. Geist

• Average rent (one bedroom): $1,225
• Average home value: $528,900
• Great for: Safety, beach and outdoor activities, families
• Commute to Downtown: 30-minute drive

The affluent community of Geist, one of the best places to live in Indianapolis, is known for its namesake reservoir — 2,000 acres of boating, fishing, and swimming fun. Waterfront living is exceptional here, and home prices reflect that fact, with averages in the half-million-dollar range and soaring up to multiple millions for luxurious estates. Even though the neighborhood offers a resort-like setting, everyday amenities aren’t lacking, thanks to nearby retail hubs like Geist Pavilion and Hamilton Town Center.  

Geist Waterfront Park is a standout family attraction in the area, with 70 acres of trails, a pirate-themed playground, and a sandy beach. And after a day in the sun, locals enjoy lakeside dining at places like Wolfie’s Grill on Geist (pull your boat right up to the dock during the summer) and Salt at Geist, an area favorite for sushi, a raw bar, and innovative seafood dishes. 

9. Butler-Tarkington

• Average rent (one bedroom): $1,175
• Average home value: $325,000
• Great for: Sports, historic homes, young professionals, students
• Commute to Downtown: 12-minute drive
  

Home to Butler University, the Butler-Tarkington neighborhood has all the advantages of a college town — albeit a small one. Arts venues like Clowes Memorial Hall welcome performers who have included Maya Angelou, Elton John, and the Broadway touring production of “Book of Mormon.” And this being Indiana, a basketball arena is a given — but the one in this town is “basketball’s cathedral”: the Hinkle Fieldhouse, where many NCAA championships were played, presidents visited, and soldiers slept and dined during WWII.

Butler-Tarkington is also home to the Tarkington Park community rec hub (with a satellite location of Tea’s Me Cafe) and the Central Canal Towpath, a 7.7-mile trail connecting Broad Ripple all the way through Indianapolis neighborhoods to Downtown Indy.  

Everything’s within walking distance of Meridian-Kessler, one of the best neighborhoods in Indianapolis. 
(Source: Kelly Todd Group via Facebook)

10. Meridian-Kessler

• Average rent (one bedroom): $1,600
• Average home value: $423,900
• Great for: Beautiful homes, local events, students, families, young professionals
• Commute to Downtown: 15-minute drive

This leafy, welcoming gem among Indianapolis neighborhoods is in the center of it all —  coffee shops within blocks, concerts 10 minutes in pretty much any direction, and parks where families and friends gather for walking, biking, and picnicking. Popular weekend destinations include Holliday Park, a 94-acre site that, in addition to green space, hosts concerts and festivals near historic ruins. Dining hotspots include the brews and burgers at Red Key Tavern (a vintage landmark established in 1933) and the delicious lattes at Hubbard & Cravens Coffee Company.  

Homes in Meridian-Kessler are a gorgeous mix of early-20th-century designs, many of which are featured in the MK Home Tour, an early-fall tradition since 1973. Trick-or-treaters know what’s up, too — the stately Washington Boulevard gets hundreds of kids every year, a sure sign that it’s one of the best neighborhoods in Indianapolis.  

Let PODS Help You Move to One of the Best Indianapolis Neighborhoods

These Indianapolis neighborhoods are calling your name! Make your move to Indianapolis a flexible one with PODS.Have a portable storage container delivered right to your driveway, where you can load it up at your own pace. Need some help on the front end? PODS can refer you to local packing and loading services to manage the heavy lifting. And one month of storage is included in the cost of every move, which means less stressing over tight deadlines — imagine having your moving and storage needs taken care of in one package. 

Visit PODS online for a free local moving quote or call 877-350-7637 for long-distance moving. 

Editor’s note: Average and median rent prices were obtained from RentCafe and Zumper; average home values were obtained from Zillow. For ease of reading, monthly rental prices were rounded to the nearest $25, and home values were rounded to the nearest $100.