The Ultimate Guide to Moving to Indiana

Welcome to Indiana, the Crossroads of America! If you’re considering moving to this diverse and welcoming state, you’ve come to the right place. This guide will cover everything you need to know about relocating to Indiana, from its key attractions to practical tips for new residents.

Indiana’s Regions

Indiana may not be as vast as Texas, but at over 36,000 square miles, there’s still a lot of ground to cover. Driving north to south, you’d cover about 270 miles. To help figure out where in Indiana to go, the state has several distinct regions, each offering a unique lifestyle:

Northern Indiana

Known as the land of lakes and Amish communities, this region lures residents with its peaceful, rural communities. Find plenty of outdoor activities such as fishing, boating, and hiking. In cities like Fort Wayne and South Bend, explore quaint shops, taste delicious homemade goods, and spend time at the zoos or museums. Serene landscapes abut Lake Michigan, while the friendly people add to the charm. Northern Indiana living provides a perfect escape from the hustle of city life.

Northwest Indiana

Worthy of its own region, Northwest Indiana falls under the Chicago metropolitan area. Residents of cities like Gary, Hammond, and East Chicago enjoy the perks of urban living and suburban charm. For city lovers, Chicago and all its entertainment, job opportunities, and delicious dining is just a train ride away. But when you don’t want to deal with traffic, head the other way. Take advantage Lake Michigan’s tranquil shores by visiting Indiana Dunes National Park or relaxing on the beaches in Whiting. 

Central Indiana

Indiana’s heartland is home to the state capital, Indianapolis. As a hub for cultural activities, locals have numerous museums, theaters, and music venues for things to do. Additionally, several major corporations and startups make it a prime market for Indiana job seekers. Renowned universities and research institutions attract students from around the globe.

Southern Indiana

From the Uplands to the Ohio River border, Southern Indiana is a master class in scenic views. Charming small towns dot the rolling landscapes. Every day can have beautiful drives through the countryside. Outdoor fun is one of the region’s advantages, as it has caves, forests, lakes, and rivers. The famous Indiana University is in Bloomington. The city of Jefferson is an extension of the Lousiville, KY, metro.

Cost of Living

It may not be a top-ten low-cost state, but Indiana still has a comfortably low cost of living. Compared to national averages, which has an index of 100, Indiana residents spent 9% less on their essentials. That ranked it 14th for 2023 for living costs.

Affordable median home prices stand out in making Indiana low-cost. The Q1 2024 median home cost was $420,800, but in Indiana, home buyers paid a median of $235,465. Affordable housing can even be found in its major cities, like Indianapolis which had a median home price of $269,900 in July 2024. Property taxes ranked no. 22, with homeowners paying an average effective rate of 0.82%.

Transportation and grocery costs are all more budget-friendly. While Indiana does levy a 7% sales tax, no local sales taxes are added on top of that. The individual income tax rate is set at a flat 3.15%.

This combination of low-cost housing and an average tax burden makes Indiana an attractive pick for the budget-conscious buyer.

Indiana Housing Market

Generally, the Indiana real estate market has tracked near national trends. By the summer of 2024, the available inventory was on the rise, a trend typical for the state and nationally. The number of new listings was up 3% year-over-year in August 2024, but still lower than the pandemic-era peak. Sustained high mortgage interest rates tampered sales activity, and closed sales were down statewide.

Still, the median home prices continued their upward march. By June 2024, the housing market set a new record high of $272,875. Still, that’s far below the national average of $412,000 in Q2 2024. 

Demand for housing remains, and the state had a two-month supply of homes in August 2024. Most homes spent a median 13 days on the market until becoming pending. 

Indiana Weather

Pack flip-flops and snowcoats: Indiana experiences all four seasons, so you’ll need to prepare accordingly. Now, exactly how cold or hot you will be depends on where you are in Indiana. Generally speaking:

• Spring: Mild temperatures and blooming flowers make this a beautiful time to get outside. Do stay weather-aware for sweeping cold fronts stirring up severe thunderstorms with tornadoes and massive hail.
• Summer: Warm and humid days are perfect for swimming, boating, and enjoying Indiana’s many lakes. In central Indianapolis, July highs average 89F.
• Fall: Cooler temperatures and stunning fall foliage make for great hiking and scenic drives.
• Winter: Cold winter months bring snow, ideal for winter sports like ice skating and skiing. Statewide, Indiana averages 22 inches a season. Northern Indiana gets more snow because of the lake effect.

Job Market

Looking for a job? Indiana is a great place to try, as it has reported year-over-year job growth since 2017. Over 200 companies planned to expand or are moving to Indiana in 2023. That same year, Forbes decided it was the best state to start a business because of its support for corporations and entrepreneurs. Indiana is luring national companies with attractive business investment tax credits and low business costs.

The unemployment rate typically tracks near the national rate. In August 2024, it reported a 4% rate compared to 4.2% nationally. 

The state’s job market has opportunities in sectors such as:

• Manufacturing: Indiana stands as a nationwide leader in automotive and pharmaceutical manufacturing. Manufacturing drives around 25% of the state economy and employs around 20% of the workforce. About 1.3 million cars and truck roll out of Indiana plants each year.
• Agribusiness: Those gently rolling corn and soy fields aren’t just pretty to look at; they’re a sign of another area where Indiana is a market leader. Indiana is a top producer of produce like corn, tomatoes, and soy, poultry products, and lumber for furniture.
• Logistics: The Heartland state has the most pass-through highways, FedEx’s second-largest global air hub, and ranks fourth in freight-carrying railroads.
• Education: Home to top-ranked universities like Butler University and Purdue University, Indiana has ample opportunities in academia and research.
• Technology: The tech industry is growing, especially in areas like Indianapolis and Bloomington. Indiana has three designated federal tech hubs which are working on cutting edge technology like clean energy.

Education

Indiana prides itself on its strong education system, particularly when it comes to higher education. It’s one reason why some people are moving to Indiana. At the top of its list are:

• Indiana University’s flagship campus in Bloomington ranks in the national top 100 universities. Its business school and music school are renowned colleges, but IU also has the nation’s largest medical school. In total, it has seven campuses and enrolls over 69,000 undergraduates combined.
• Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana is another elite school. Its engineering programs, agriculture and horticulture colleges are top-ranking nationally. Overall, it was a top 20 public school and top 50 national university.
• The University of Notre Dame in South Bend is a prestigious Catholic university renowned worldwide for its research. Admissions are highly competitive and in 2024, it carried a no. 20 national ranking. Finance and economic-related degrees are some of its top courses of study, but so are engineering and technology programs.
• Ball State University in Muncie has a phenomenal reputation for its teacher training program. It’s also the state’s largest provider of online education.

These are just four of the colleges and universities available in Indiana. Not counting branches, students have around 60 choices to further their career training.

As for public education, families will be pleased to learn Indiana’s K-12 current school rankings are 15th nationally in 2023. The 350 local school districts typically have strong performance in national testing. Notably, the Signature School, a charter school in Evansville, earned second-place honors in U.S. News & World Report’s rankings of the best high schools nationwide. Other frequently top-performing schools include West Lafayette Junior/Senior High, Carmel High School, and Zionsville Community High.

Arts and Culture

You may not think of Indiana as a culturally rich state, but that’s deceptive.  A few highlights of its top art and cultural attractions to show you what Indiana has:

• The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis is the best in the nation. With five floors and 11 permanent galleries, it’s easy to spend hours exploring the interactive exhibits with your little ones.
• The Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields boasts over 50,000 artworks in its collection. Installations range from ancient Greek busts to modern art.

• Indiana might not host the Sundance Festival each year, but it does have a thriving film community. The Indianapolis International Film Festival celebrated its 17th year in 2023.
• Indiana has designated 14 towns as state cultural districts. These knowledge towns with a thriving city culture that helps residents live a balanced life. Find parks, museums, live music, historic attractions, art installations, and community-related events like summer concerts or art walks.
• If you’re a sports fan, Indiana has the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the NCAA headquarters both located in the state. Its colleges have competitive sports teams in football and basketball. Cheer for the Indiana Colts (NFL), Pacers (NBA), or Fever (WNBA).

Parks and Outdoor Recreation

Some say Indiana is too flat. Sure the glaciers did make north and central Indiana a bit less bumpy, and the highest peak above sea level is just 738 feet, but don’t be fooled. Indiana has incredible parks and forests, lakes and rivers, and all are excellent escapes for the nature lover. Find 24 state parks and more for outdoor recreation. A few top picks:

• Indiana Dunes State Park: Climb the sand dunes for unparalleled views of Lake Michigan. You won’t believe this is Indiana.
• Turkey Run State Park: home to the intense Turkey Run Challenge and some of the state’s best-voted hiking trails. Dress appropriately for a hike that wanders through streams and up 1,500 human-carved steps.
• Brown County State Park: Indiana’s longest mountain bike trail has 2,400 feet of ascent and descent over 27 rugged miles.
• Muscatatuck Park: Ascend rugged rock faces in one of the state’s only rock climbing areas.
• Play Pete Dye: Test your handicap on the Pete Dye Trail, a collection of seven golf courses designed by the renowned architect.
• White River: Float 52 miles from Carmel to Indianapolis, from the countryside to the city.

But every region and city has even more ways to stay active and be outside. You’ll find climbing gyms in the Northwest and Indy, hiking trails in every county, parks with playgrounds, and community recreation centers.

Major Cities

Around 6.8 million people call Indiana home. However, its population is well spaced out. None of its larger cities crack one million residents. That’s part of how these urban destinations are able to deliver a high quality of life that is affordable. The four largest cities by population are:

• Indianapolis: Amenity-packed Indianapolis delivers a well-rounded lifestyle. The Midwestern city has an incredible sports culture with multiple professional sports teams, college sports, and the Indianapolis Speedway. A thriving dining scene, public transit system, and central location add to its perks.
• Fort Wayne: Three rivers meet in Fort Wayne, the start of a collection of parks and green spaces that add to its northeastern charm. The state’s second-largest city is prized for its quality schools, easy commutes, and friendly community. Find job opportunities in manufacturing and health care.
• Evansville: This small city of just over 100,000 residents has a surprising amount of entertainment perks like minor league sports and the Ford Center. Situated on the Ohio River, it has one of the nation’s largest street fairs every October.
• South Bend: A college town, South Bend ranked in the top 25 places to live in 2023 by US News and World Report. Besides the University of Notre Dame, its other perks are a zoo, energetic arts culture, and affordable cost of living. 

Quirks of Indiana

Every state has its quirks, and Indiana is no exception. As a new Indiana resident, get ready for:

• Basketball Fever: Indiana is known for its passionate love of basketball, so expect to see plenty of hoops action. The high school basketball tournament brings on what is called “Hoosier hysteria,” but the Division I games are no joke, too. At the pro level, Indiana has the Pacers (NBA) and Fever (WNBA).
• Covered Bridges: Parke County is the Covered Bridge Capital of the world, with 31 historic covered bridges.
• Hoosier Hospitality: Known for its friendly and welcoming residents, you’ll quickly feel at home in Indiana.
• Santa Claus, IN: Yes, it’s a real town, and it answers letters from children every year.
• Hoosiers: No one knows where the word used to describe Indiana residents came from. There are lots of theories, but even without a clear answer, locals wear the moniker with pride.

Making Indiana Your Home

New residents have 60 days to get their Indiana driver’s license and transfer all vehicle registrations and titles after moving to Indiana. You must bring your prior driver’s license, a second proof of identity that shows Indiana residency, and pass a vision test. 

All vehicles must be brought to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles for a visual inspection. You’ll also need proof of current auto insurance coverage for the state of Indiana. Anyone moving to Lake County or Porter County must have their car pass an emission test. 

Indiana has deregulated energy providers, so residents can choose their electrical company. Over 600 providers service Indiana, including but not limited to Duke Energy, AES Indiana, Indiana Michigan Power (I&M), Hoosier Power, and Northern Indiana Public Service Company (NIPSCO).

Individuals working in Indiana as an independent contractor or self-employed will need to make estimated income tax payments four times a year. The schedule is the same as the federal estimated tax payments.

Moving to Indiana

We hope this guide gives you a sneak peek into why Indiana shouldn’t fly under your radar. The wallet-friendly cost of living is just the start of the Hoosier State’s advantages. Be delighted by the diverse cultural scene, and enjoy some unexpected natural landscapes. Find your new digs with a local Indiana expert.