Best Cities for Young Professionals in Indiana
Indiana ranks #23 of 50 for young professionals, with a young professionals score of 54.1. Westfield is its best city for young professionals at 72.8.
- Indiana, all states
- #23 of 50
- Population
- 54,677
Indiana for Young Professionals: The Full Picture
Indiana ranks #23 out of 50 for young professionals, landing in the middle of the pack. The state's economy scores 43/100, though with 3.7% unemployment and a median household income of $71,959. Modest population growth of 0.56% suggests a stable but not booming market.
For young professionals, the equation comes down to earning potential versus cost of living. Indiana's cost-of-living index of 93.3 is significantly below the national average, meaning entry-level salaries go further here than in most metros. Growth metrics are moderate, so career advancement may depend more on specific industries than broad market expansion.
Beyond the paycheck, livability matters. Indiana's livability score of 30/100 is modest, which may matter to young professionals who value nightlife, dining, and cultural events. Transportation is car-dependent in most areas (score: 42/100), which is worth factoring into housing location decisions.
All 21 Cities Ranked for Young Professionals
| # City | Grade | Young Professionals score | Overall | Economy | Growth | Walkability | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Westfield | A+ | 72.8 | 72.7 | 81 | 95 | 37 | 54,677 |
| 2Carmel | A+ | 70.0 | 73.1 | 88 | 64 | 39 | 101,651 |
| 3Fishers | A+ | 67.4 | 70.7 | 84 | 53 | 42 | 102,337 |
| 4Noblesville | A | 63.0 | 66.6 | 71 | 56 | 36 | 73,362 |
| 5Greenwood | B+ | 59.1 | 60.4 | 62 | 59 | 39 | 66,029 |
| 6Columbus | B+ | 58.2 | 59.6 | 56 | 52 | 38 | 51,824 |
| 7Jeffersonville | B | 58.1 | 57.2 | 53 | 64 | 48 | 51,043 |
| 8Bloomington | B | 57.6 | 57.9 | 44 | 52 | 68 | 80,049 |
| 9Fort Wayne | B | 55.3 | 56.7 | 49 | 51 | 55 | 268,589 |
| 10Lafayette | B | 55.2 | 57.7 | 45 | 44 | 65 | 71,159 |
| 11Indianapolis city | C | 51.4 | 50.9 | 51 | 44 | 52 | 885,860 |
| 12Mishawaka | C+ | 51.1 | 53.7 | 43 | 47 | 41 | 51,021 |
| 13Terre Haute | D | 50.5 | 47.6 | 37 | 44 | 67 | 58,427 |
| 14Elkhart | C+ | 50.3 | 52.8 | 40 | 45 | 41 | 53,733 |
| 15South Bend | C | 49.3 | 52.2 | 42 | 38 | 41 | 103,085 |
| 16Anderson | C | 48.5 | 50.4 | 39 | 46 | 39 | 55,367 |
| 17Muncie | C | 48.4 | 49.8 | 37 | 42 | 42 | 64,751 |
| 18Evansville | D | 46.9 | 45.1 | 45 | 44 | 40 | 116,116 |
| 19Kokomo | D | 44.5 | 48.8 | 29 | 32 | 35 | 59,122 |
| 20Hammond | D | 43.6 | 44.6 | 38 | 33 | 43 | 76,768 |
| 21Gary | F | 29.4 | 31.1 | 10 | 21 | 34 | 68,113 |
City young professionals scores use each city's own data, with the category weights rescaled over the categories the city has; outdoor access has no city-level measure and is left out.
Compare: States with Similar Young Professionals Rankings
Also See: Indiana for Other Lifestyles
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Indiana a good state for young professionals?
Indiana ranks #23 out of 50 for young professionals with a persona-weighted score of 54.1/100. Its strongest relevant category is Safety (80/100) and its weakest is Livability (30/100).
What is the best city for young professionals in Indiana?
Westfield ranks #1 in Indiana for young professionals with a score of 72.8/100, followed by Carmel and Fishers.
What factors are most important for young professionals in Indiana?
Rankings weighted toward job market strength, economic growth, affordable living, transportation, and vibrant community life — the factors that attract ambitious young professionals.