Indiana
Indiana ranks #32 of 50 US states in 2026 with a composite score of 50.8/100 and a C+ grade. Its strongest category is Affordability (81/100) and its weakest is Outdoor Access (10/100).
How Does Indiana Rank For...
Weights vary by lifestyle. Families prioritize education & safety; retirees prioritize fiscal health & healthcare. See methodology →
Top Strengths
Areas to Watch
Category Breakdown
12-Month Composite Trend
IllustrativeCities in Indiana
| # | City | Grade | Score | Population | Income | Crime | Cost Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18 | Westfield | A+ | 68.8 | 51,109 | $119,598 | 71.4 | — |
| 35 | Carmel | A+ | 67.4 | 102,091 | $143,676 | 63.1 | 94.6 |
| 109 | Fishers | A | 63.2 | 101,789 | $121,382 | 102.7 | 94.6 |
| 144 | Noblesville | A | 61.9 | 76,124 | $107,177 | 111.9 | — |
| 336 | Greenwood | B+ | 56.9 | 64,237 | $78,765 | 119.5 | 94.6 |
| 392 | Columbus | B | 55.5 | 51,104 | $76,856 | 19.4 | 90.3 |
| 603 | Indianapolis city | C+ | 50.8 | 874,182 | $66,629 | 318.8 | 94.6 |
| 625 | Fort Wayne | C+ | 50.2 | 271,629 | $57,138 | 271.4 | 90 |
| 701 | Lafayette | C | 48.3 | 67,406 | $51,328 | 510.2 | 91.5 |
| 726 | Bloomington | C | 47.5 | 74,028 | $41,799 | 399.3 | 93.4 |
| 729 | Mishawaka | C | 47.3 | 50,907 | $53,120 | 267.5 | 91.4 |
| 800 | Anderson | C | 45.3 | 54,930 | $47,221 | 425.2 | 94.6 |
| 848 | Muncie | D | 43.5 | 64,599 | $43,507 | 444.2 | 88.8 |
| 849 | Kokomo | D | 43.5 | 59,375 | $54,195 | 542.5 | 89.7 |
| 917 | South Bend | D | 40.9 | 100,715 | $55,767 | 1217.5 | 91.4 |
| 930 | Evansville | D | 40.3 | 113,291 | $52,318 | 1142.2 | 89.8 |
| 946 | Terre Haute | D | 39.3 | 58,491 | $41,960 | 516.2 | 88.2 |
| 953 | Hammond | F | 38.6 | 76,181 | $51,773 | 663.2 | 102.6 |
| 968 | Elkhart | F | 37.1 | 53,726 | $47,885 | 1197.6 | 92.6 |
| 999 | Gary | F | 28.2 | 68,269 | $35,033 | 914.6 | 102.6 |
Best Cities in Indiana for...
| # | City | Families Score | 🎓 Education | 🛡️ Safety | 🏠 Affordability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Westfield | 68.2 | 65.0 | 96.1 | 61.6 |
| 2 | Carmel | 67.2 | 60.4 | 96.6 | 66.1 |
| 3 | Fishers | 65.4 | 60.7 | 95.8 | 69.7 |
| 4 | Noblesville | 64.3 | 61.8 | 95.3 | 65.7 |
| 5 | Columbus | 62.5 | 54.6 | 100.0 | 77.6 |
More Midwest States
Indiana Rankings Overview
Indiana earns an overall grade of C+ with a composite score of 50.8 out of 100, ranking #32 among all 50 US states. The state's strongest category is Affordability (81/100) while its biggest challenge is Outdoor Access (10/100).
Economy & Employment in Indiana
With an unemployment rate of 3.5% (compared to the national average of 3.8%), Indiana performs above average on economic indicators. The median household income is $65,870, which ranks below the national median of $74,753.
Safety & Crime in Indiana
Indiana's violent crime rate of 361 per 100,000 residents places it in the bottom half of states for public safety.
Health & Education in Indiana
Indiana ranks #40 for health outcomes according to the 2025 America's Health Rankings report, and #25 for K-12 education quality based on NAEP scores and graduation rates. Life expectancy in Indiana is 76.4 years, and the high school graduation rate is 87%.
Taxes & Fiscal Health in Indiana
Indiana's total tax burden is 9.09% of personal income, which is above the national average of 8.74%. The top marginal income tax rate is 5.02%. The effective property tax rate is 0.77% and the combined state and local sales tax rate is 7%.
Housing & Affordability in Indiana
The median home price in Indiana is $255,000, below the national average of $394,620. The cost of living index is 92 (where 100 equals the national average), making it a more affordable state. The price-to-income ratio is 3.9x.
Environment in Indiana
Indiana has a median air quality index of 41 (EPA AirData), above the national average. 15% of the state's electricity comes from renewable sources. The FEMA natural disaster risk score is 16.9 (below average risk).
Growth & Migration in Indiana
Indiana's population growth rate is +0.6% year over year. The net domestic migration rate is +0.6 per 1,000 residents, indicating more people are moving in than out. 93.1% of households have broadband internet access.
Best Cities in Indiana
The top-ranked cities in Indiana based on our composite scoring are Westfield, Carmel, and Fishers. These cities score highest across economy, safety, health, and affordability metrics among the cities we track in Indiana.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Indiana's overall ranking?
Indiana ranks #32 out of 50 states with a composite score of 50.8/100 and a grade of C+.
Is Indiana a good place to live?
Indiana scores 50.8/100 overall, placing it in the middle tier of US states. It has notable strengths in certain categories while facing challenges in others, making it a reasonable choice depending on individual priorities and preferences.
What is the crime rate in Indiana?
The violent crime rate in Indiana is 361 per 100,000 residents (2024 FBI data), compared to the national average of 350 per 100,000.
How does Indiana's economy compare?
Indiana's median household income is $65,870 with an unemployment rate of 3.5%. The unemployment rate is below the national average of 3.8%, and the median income is below the national median of $74,753.
What are the best cities in Indiana?
Based on our composite scoring, the top-ranked cities in Indiana are Westfield, Carmel, and Fishers.
How does Indiana rank for families?
Indiana ranks #30 of 50 states for families with a score of 56.1/100. This is a lower-tier ranking based on weights emphasizing education, safety, housing.
How does Indiana rank for retirees?
Indiana ranks #31 of 50 states for retirees with a score of 56/100. This is a lower-tier ranking based on weights emphasizing health, fiscal, housing.
How does Indiana rank for remote workers?
Indiana ranks #21 of 50 states for remote workers with a score of 56.4/100. This is a mid-tier ranking based on weights emphasizing housing, economy, outdoor.