When relocating to Indiana with your family, finding the right community is crucial. Indianapolis suburbs offer diverse options that balance excellent education, safe neighborhoods, and housing within reach. Our comprehensive analysis weighs school ratings, crime statistics, home values, and community amenities to bring you the definitive ranking of family-friendly suburbs around the Circle City.

1. Carmel

School Rating: ★★★★★ (9.8/10)
Safety Index: ★★★★★ (95/100)
Median Home Price: $390,000
Average Commute to Downtown: 25 minutes

Consistently ranked among the best places to live in America, Carmel offers an exceptional quality of life with top-rated Carmel Clay Schools, extensive parks and trails, and the charming Arts & Design District. The city’s commitment to family-friendly planning is evident in its roundabouts, mixed-use developments, and community events like CarmelFest.

Family-Friendly Highlights:

Award-winning school system with exceptional STEM and arts programs

200+ acres of parkland and the Monon Trail

Low crime rates and highly rated public safety services

Vibrant downtown with family dining and entertainment options

2. Zionsville

School Rating: ★★★★★ (9.7/10)
Safety Index: ★★★★★ (94/100)
Median Home Price: $450,000
Average Commute to Downtown: 30 minutes

With its charming brick-lined Main Street and top-tier schools, Zionsville blends small-town charm with upscale amenities. The Zionsville Community Schools consistently rank among Indiana’s best, and the town’s carefully preserved historic district offers a unique family environment.

Family-Friendly Highlights:

Excellent school-to-community engagement

Quaint downtown with local shops and restaurants

Expansive parks system, including the 400-acre Starkey Nature Park

Strong sense of community with year-round family events

3. Fishers

School Rating: ★★★★★ (9.5/10)
Safety Index: ★★★★★ (93/100)
Median Home Price: $360,000
Average Commute to Downtown: 30 minutes

Recently named among the best places to live in the country, Fishers offers excellentHamilton Southeastern Schools, innovative community spaces like the Nickel PlateDistrict, and a forward-thinking approach to suburban living.

Family-Friendly Highlights:

Top-ranked schools with extensive advanced placement options

The Yard culinary district and Fishers District entertainment complex

Geist Reservoir for water recreation

Low crime rates with highly responsive police department

4. Westfield

School Rating: ★★★★★ (9.3/10)
Safety Index: ★★★★☆ (90/100)
Median Home Price: $330,000
Average Commute to Downtown: 35 minutes

Home to the massive Grand Park sports complex, Westfield has transformed from a small town to a family sports destination while maintaining excellent schools and a strong community feel. Westfield-Washington Schools offer robust academic and extracurricular programs.

Family-Friendly Highlights:

Grand Park Sports Campus (400+ acres of sports facilities)

Rapidly developing downtown with family dining options

Strong community events calendar including Westfield Rocks the 4th

Excellent parks and trail system

5. Noblesville

School Rating: ★★★★☆ (9.0/10)
Safety Index: ★★★★☆ (89/100)
Median Home Price: $310,000
Average Commute to Downtown: 35 minutes

With a charming historic square and access to both White River and Morse Reservoir, Noblesville blends heritage with natural beauty. Noblesville Schools provide strong educational foundations, while the community offers a slightly more affordable entry point than some neighboring suburbs.

Family-Friendly Highlights:

Historic courthouse square with family shopping and dining

Ruoff Music Center for family entertainment

Excellent parks system including Forest Park and Federal Hill Commons

White River Greenway trail system

6. Brownsburg

School Rating: ★★★★☆ (8.9/10)
Safety Index: ★★★★☆ (88/100)
Median Home Price: $280,000
Average Commute to Downtown: 25 minutes

Located west of Indianapolis, Brownsburg offers excellent schools, affordable housing, and strong community programs. Brownsburg Community SchoolCorporation consistently ranks among the state’s top districts, particularly for STEM education.

Family-Friendly Highlights:

Award-winning schools with strong extracurricular programs

Williams Park and Arbuckle Acres Park facilities

Brownsburg Parks summer concert series

Lower housing costs while maintaining excellent amenities

7. Avon

School Rating: ★★★★☆ (8.8/10)
Safety Index: ★★★★☆ (87/100)
Median Home Price: $275,000
Average Commute to Downtown: 30 minutes

Avon combines affordability with excellent schools and abundant green space. AvonCommunity School Corporation offers strong academic programs, complemented by the town’s extensive parks and trail systems.

Family-Friendly Highlights:

Highly rated school system with strong performing arts

Washington Township Park with splash pad and nature programs

Avon Town Hall Park’s popular outdoor amphitheater

Growing retail and dining options along US 36

8. Plainfield

School Rating: ★★★★☆ (8.7/10)
Safety Index: ★★★★☆ (86/100)
Median Home Price: $260,000
Average Commute to Downtown: 30 minutes

Plainfield offers exceptional value with its combination of affordable housing, quality schools, and extensive recreation facilities. The Plainfield Community SchoolCorporation maintains high standards, while the town’s proximity to the IndianapolisInternational Airport makes it convenient for traveling professionals.

Family-Friendly Highlights:

Plainfield Recreation and Aquatic Center

Extensive Plainfield trail system

Hummel Park with outdoor concerts and events

Historic downtown with family-friendly dining

9. Greenwood

School Rating: ★★★★☆ (8.5/10)
Safety Index: ★★★★☆ (85/100)
Median Home Price: $250,000
Average Commute to Downtown: 25 minutes

As the major suburb south of Indianapolis, Greenwood provides a strong combination of affordability, amenities, and good schools through Greenwood CommunitySchools. Recent revitalization of Old Town Greenwood has added charm and community gathering spaces.

Family-Friendly Highlights:

Greenwood Park Mall and surrounding retail district

Freedom Springs Aquatics Park

Access to multiple county and city parks

Summer concert series and Greenwood Farmer’s Market

10. McCordsville

School Rating: ★★★★☆ (8.4/10)
Safety Index: ★★★★☆ (84/100)
Median Home Price: $285,000
Average Commute to Downtown: 35 minutes

One of the fastest-growing communities in Hancock County, McCordsville offers newer housing developments and access to highly-rated Mt. Vernon CommunitySchool Corporation while maintaining a more rural atmosphere than some western suburbs.

Family-Friendly Highlights:

Excellent school district with strong community support

Town Center development with growing amenities

Geist Reservoir access

Family-focused community events

11. Lebanon

School Rating: ★★★★☆ (8.3/10)
Safety Index: ★★★★☆ (83/100)
Median Home Price: $230,000
Average Commute to Downtown: 40 minutes

Though a bit farther from downtown, Lebanon offers tremendous value with its historic courthouse square, strong schools, and significantly lower housing costs.Lebanon Community School Corporation provides quality education with smaller class sizes than many suburban districts.

Family-Friendly Highlights:

Historic downtown with community events

Memorial Park and Lebanon Pool

Strong community sports programs

Small-town atmosphere with reasonable commute

12. Whitestown

School Rating: ★★★☆☆ (8.2/10)
Safety Index: ★★★★☆ (83/100)
Median Home Price: $270,000
Average Commute to Downtown: 35 minutes

As Indiana’s fastest-growing community for several consecutive years, Whitestown offers new housing developments, community parks, and access to Zionsville Community Schools for many neighborhoods.

Family-Friendly Highlights:

New construction homes with modern amenities

Anson development with shopping and dining

Brand new parks and recreation facilities

Strong town planning with family focus

13. Fortville

School Rating: ★★★☆☆ (8.0/10)
Safety Index: ★★★☆☆ (82/100)
Median Home Price: $225,000
Average Commute to Downtown: 35 minutes

Offering small-town charm with proximity to Indianapolis, Fortville provides excellent value and a growing downtown district. Mt. Vernon Community Schools serve the

area with strong academic and extracurricular programs.

Family-Friendly Highlights:

Revitalized Main Street with community events

Memorial Park with splash pad

Affordable housing options

Strong community spirit with local festivals

14. Speedway

School Rating: ★★★☆☆ (7.9/10)
Safety Index: ★★★☆☆ (81/100)
Median Home Price: $210,000
Average Commute to Downtown: 15 minutes

Known worldwide for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, this enclave community offers unbeatable proximity to downtown, affordable housing, and a unique motorsports heritage. Speedway Schools provide strong education in a small-district environment.

Family-Friendly Highlights:

Vibrant Main Street district

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum

Leonard Park and recreation facilities

Shortest average commute to downtown Indianapolis

15. Bargersville

School Rating: ★★★☆☆ (7.8/10)
Safety Index: ★★★☆☆ (80/100)
Median Home Price: $295,000
Average Commute to Downtown: 35 minutes

This growing Johnson County community combines rural charm with new developments. Center Grove Community Schools serve most of the area, known for strong academics and athletics programs.

Family-Friendly Highlights:

Rapidly developing with new amenities

Access to excellent Center Grove schools

New construction housing options

Small-town atmosphere with expanding infrastructure

Finding Your Perfect Indianapolis Suburb

While these rankings provide a solid starting point, finding your ideal community depends on your family’s unique priorities. Whether you value proximity to work, specific educational programs, or particular amenities, the Indianapolis region offers diverse options for families.

If you’re relocating to Indiana and considering homeownership, understanding the mortgage landscape is just as important as choosing the right community. FirstOption Mortgage of Indianapolis specializes in helping Indiana transplants navigate the local housing market with personalized mortgage solutions.

Ready to explore these communities in person? Connect with our Indiana relocation specialists for customized guidance on finding your perfect home in the perfect neighborhood.

School ratings based on Indiana Department of Education data, safety ratings compiled from FBI crime statistics and local police reports, housing prices from recent market data as of 2025.