Is Indiana a Good Place to Live? (18 Pros and Cons)

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Exploring The Perks And Pitfalls Of Living In Indiana

Is Indiana a good place to live? To answer the question, explore the pros and cons of calling Indiana home in this comprehensive guide. Whether you’re considering moving soon or are just curious, this article provides essential insights about living in Indiana.

Is Indiana A Good Place To Live?

The low cost of living, favorable tax environment, family-friendly communities, and central Midwestern location make Indiana an excellent place to live.

However, whether you want to live, work, play, or retire in Indiana, carefully consider all the pros and cons.

Pros And Cons Of Living In Indiana: Side By Side Comparison

Living in Indiana Pros	Living in Indiana Cons
1. Affordable cost of living	10. Cold & snowy winters
2. Modest real estate taxes	11. Seasonal allergies
3. Low income taxes	12. Tornado risk
4. Nice people	13. Limited public transit
5. Family-friendly	14. Boring lifestyle
6. Low crime rate	15. Dull landscape
7. Excellent universities	16. Limited racial diversity
8. Strategically located	17. Conservative thinking
9. Four-season weather	18. Drug use

Table 1: Pros and Cons of Living or Retiring in Indiana

Next, let’s dive deeper into these facts and features about living in Indiana.

Disclosure: At no cost to you, I may get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.

Pros Of Living In Indiana

1. Residents Love The Low Cost Of Living In Indiana

There are financial benefits to living in Indiana. The state is a budget-friendly place.

First, housing costs are remarkably lower. The state boasts a median home value 44% below the national average (source: Redfin). For example, Fort Wayne offers surprisingly affordable homes for an attractive Midwest city.

Second, it’s not just housing costs. Groceries, healthcare, utilities, and transportation are all wallet-friendly.

Add up all of the savings, and Indiana’s cost of living is very reasonable. Thus, the state is a smart choice for anyone seeking affordability.

Finally, we use the cashback app from Rakuten for all of our online purchases. I recommend you sign up for Rakuten to receive cash rebates, too.

2. Living In Indiana Means Modest Property Taxes

Experience the advantage of modest property taxes in Indiana. The low real estate taxes are another key factor in its low-cost appeal.

Real estate taxes are a function of 1) the state’s tax rate and 2) the value of your property. While Indiana’s property tax rate is similar to many other states, when the rate is applied to Indiana’s reasonable home prices, lower property taxes are the result.

Thus, Indiana’s real estate taxes rank in the top 10 most affordable of all states in the country, according to WalletHub.

3. After Moving To Indiana, There Are More Tax Savings

Indiana is an income tax-friendly state, currently boasting a modest tax rate of 3.15%

Better yet, if certain economic conditions are met, rates will go lower in the future, as noted below (source: EY):

3.05% for 2024
3.0% for 2025
2.95% for 2026
2.9% for 2027

Related reading: Dive deeper into why Indiana is so affordable

Okay. Enough about money and taxes. Next, there are some other good things about moving to Hoosier State.

4. Nice People Live In Indiana

Discover the warmth of Indiana through its friendly residents. They possess a genuine and relaxed demeanor that leaves a lasting impression.

Good manners prevail, evident in the respectful and considerate interactions. From holding doors to friendly greetings on the streets, the people of Indiana embody a culture of kindness.

Experience a community where genuine friendliness is the norm, making Indiana not just a place to live but a welcoming home with neighbors who value respect and positivity.

5. Experience Family-Friendly Living In Indiana

Indiana’s many small towns emphasize community involvement and family-centric values. The environment is well-suited for families to bond and create lasting memories and friendships.

You can embrace a diverse range of options for filling your free time. For example, engage in civic events, socialize with your church group, or volunteer for a meaningful cause.

benefits of moving to "The Hoosier State"

6. Indiana Has A Low Crime Rate

Indiana boasts high personal safety scores and low crime rates, as reported in a study by WalletHub.

While crime is higher in the largest city of Indianapolis, excluding it reveals an even more significantly reduced statewide crime rate. The study highlights the safety advantage of small-town Midwestern living in Indiana.

As a result, residents enjoy the peace of mind of residing in a state known for its commitment to safety and a lower incidence of criminal activities.

7. Excellent Universities Are Located In Indiana

Indiana is home to several top-notch public and private universities.

Indiana University is the state’s largest school. The university is one of the most respected institutions of higher learning in America.

Notre Dame is a private Catholic university. The school’s flagship campus is in the small town of South Bend.

Purdue University calls the cornfields of West Lafayette, Indiana, its home.

Butler University is a private school in Indianapolis offering an urban campus experience. Butler is a smaller school than the first three but a prestigious learning institution in its own right.

Finally, I will mention the lesser-known Indiana State University. NBA basketball legend Larry Bird played his college ball there.

8. Located Close To Major Midwest Metropolitan Areas

Discover Indiana’s strategic location, which offers proximity to the best Midwest states and metropolitan areas.

This geographical advantage opens doors to diverse cultural and recreational offerings in nearby large cities. For example, just a 3-hour drive from Indianapolis, you can easily explore exciting destinations like Cincinnati and Chicago.

9. Distinct Four-Season Weather

Indiana has distinct seasonal weather patterns. The weather is perfect for anyone who loves warm summers, cool, crisp autumns, winter snowfall, and the welcome thaw of spring.

Fall is my favorite season when the turning leaves of autumn put on a show, especially in Southern Indiana’s Brown County. The area is referred to as “The Little Smokeys.” for its resemblance to the Smoky Mountains located to the southeast near Knoxville, Tennessee.

Okay. That concludes the many great things about living in Indiana. Next, let’s balance out the conversation and go through some of the reasons not to move here in the first place.

Unfortunately, I’m not done with everyone’s favorite topic: the weather!

Cons Of Living In Indiana

10. Cold And Snowy Winters

Indiana experiences challenging winter conditions, particularly in the northern regions near Lake Michigan. Thus, if you do not like winter weather, you may regret moving to Indiana.

Expect over 70 inches of annual snowfall, with the heaviest amounts produced south and west of the lake. Fortunately, Indiana’s southern half receives just 20 inches of snow annually. Northern Indiana also faces bone-chilling temperatures that frequently fall below zero.

As a result, residents must be prepared for diverse winter conditions, ranging from snow, freezing rain, and severe cold snaps that last for days.

11. High Pollen Levels Occur Annually In Indiana

Many Indiana residents suffer from seasonal allergies.

Spring’s rain and warming temperatures cause the foliage to bloom. Along with the fresh buds comes plenty of pollen.

The annoying airborne particles cause scratchy throats, burning eyes, and running noses, especially during the peak allergy season of April and May.

12. There Is A Risk Of Tornadoes After Moving To Indiana

Tornadoes are one of the worst things about living in Indiana. The state averages more than 20 tornados annually.

These destructive weather events come with little notice. So, residents must quickly take cover in a safe place during a tornado warning.

13. Indiana Has Limited Public Transportation

Navigating Indiana without a car poses a challenge for anyone living outside downtown Indianapolis. Beyond the city’s public transportation, reliance on a car is usually required.

Convenient highway journeys within Indiana or into neighboring states like Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, and Kentucky are virtually impossible without an automobile.

14. Living In Indiana Can Be Boring

There are many reasons why Indiana is considered a boring place to live. Some reasons that are top of my mind include:

Urban living is limited
Nightlife options are lacking.
Food and drinks are Midwest bland

Indianapolis has a decent entertainment scene. The city has a vibrant downtown, plus plenty of dining, bars, clubs, and professional sporting events.

But, outside of Indy, the state’s entertainment and nightlife options are limited.

15. Indiana’s Landscape Leaves A Lot To Be Desired

Most of Indiana is flat and filled with farms and cornfields. You won’t see any mountains, and the state is landlocked, aside from the southern tip of Lake Michigan.

Southern Indiana is nice for biking, hiking, and visiting the state and local parks. My personal favorite is Brown County State Park.

While in Southern Indiana, you can also cross the state border to check out Louisville, Kentucky. Visit “bourbon country” or partake in the annual festival leading up to the Kentucky Derby.

16. Indiana Lacks Racial And Ethnic Diversity

Indiana doesn’t offer much racial diversity. For example, more than 80% of the population is white.

17. An Abundance Of Conservative Thinking

Most Indiana residents lean toward conservative politics. At the same time, Christianity is dominant, with more than 70% of residents identifying as such.

As a result, people with liberal views and diverse religious beliefs may not fit in after moving to Indiana.

18. Drug Use And Addiction

Indiana has a serious issue with drug usage. The drug abuse problem in Indiana is much worse than in many other states.

The state ranks among the top 15 worst states for drug usage, according to another study by WalletHub.

The study was based on 3 primary factors:

Drug use and addiction
Law enforcement
Drug health issues and rehabilitation

The truth is that there are pockets of Indiana where it is hard to avoid drugs and the issues that come with them.

Okay. That concludes my top list of benefits of living in Indiana and some good reasons why moving to Indiana may not be the best idea.

So, allow me to close with some parting thoughts and additional resources.

Living In Indiana: Wrap-Up And Resources

I hope this article has helped you address important questions such as:

Is Indiana a good place to live?
Should I move to Indiana?

Before moving, carefully consider all of today’s pros and cons.

Finally, the following list of cities and towns features many of the state’s best qualities:

Bloomington
Carmel
Fishers
Fort Wayne
Westfield
Zionsville

Some places are better than others for low-cost living, friendly people, and low crime rates. So, do your homework when determining your precise location.

For example, Carmel is a gem but a more expensive place. The town frequently makes the lists of the best places to live.

However, I recommend Bloomington as my personal favorite. I like the vibe created by Indiana University and spending time on the school’s beautiful campus!

All About Living In Indiana Explained