Safest Cities in Indiana

1. West Lafayette

West Lafayette is a city that belongs to Wabash Township in Tippecanoe County of Indiana. The Wabash River separates this town from its sister city Lafayette. According to the latest available data, West Lafayette has 44,595 residents. The city is among the most densely populated in the entire state, and it’s also the home of Purdue University. According to various sources, West Lafayette is the safest city in Indiana.

Augustus Wylie was responsible for laying out the city plan in 1836, but due to floods from the Wabash River, he backed out, leaving the land empty. A new village was established in 1888 and operated under the name Chauncey until it was changed to Lafayette. In 2013, West Lafayette separated from the rest of the city.

West Lafayette has low salaries and an extremely high poverty rate. The median household income is $34,650, and the per capita earnings amount to only $21,041. Approximately 38% of residents are living in poverty.

Despite the impoverished population, the West Lafayette, Indiana crime rate is 791 per 100,000 residents, and in 2019, the police reported 357 property and 32 violent crimes.

If you’re interested in relocating to West Lafayette, know that the median gross rent is higher than the state average at $912, and the median house price is $283,600.

2. Westfield

Westfield is part of Hamilton County of Indiana and belongs to the Indianapolis Metro Area. The latest official data shows that the city has 46,410 residents. With a crime rate of only 819 per 100,000 people, Westfield is among the safest cities in Indiana. In 2019, residents reported only 338 property and 16 violent crimes.

North Carolina Quakers Ambrose Osborne, Asa Bales, and Simon Moon founded the city in 1834, with the primary purpose of creating an essential railway stop for the Underground Railroad. The town’s official incorporation came in 1849, and Westfield became a city of Indiana in 2008. Due to the city’s growing population, Westfield’s officials are planning a significant revitalization of the downtown, which will include a city hall and a new library.

Aside from being one of the safest neighborhoods in Indianapolis, Westfield also offers high earnings. The median household income sits at $98,376, and the per capita earnings amount to $42,592, with only 6% of residents living in poverty. 

As it’s among the best options for relocation, properties in Westfield are more expensive than in other cities. The median home price is $355,800, while the median gross rent sits at $1,207.

3. Fishers

Fishers is a city in Hamilton County, and it belongs to the Delaware and Fall Creek townships. With a population of 98,977, Fishers is among the most populated and best place to live in Indiana, as its residents enjoy a high quality of life.

The city’s history dates back to 1802, when William Conner settled in the area and built a trading post and a cabin. 

Settlers were attracted to the area after Indiana became an official state, and the second big population growth was in 1849 after the Peru & Indianapolis Railroad was built. The town was known as “Fisher’s Switch,” but only the Fishers part remained after the post office was built in 1908. In 2015, Fishers became an official city of Indiana.

If we look at the Indiana crime rate by city, the Fishers crime rate is 822 per 100,000 people, and in 2019, residents committed a total of 51 violent and 734 property offenses.

The median household income in Fishers is very high at $109,454, and the per capita income is above average, at $51,312. Less than 3% of residents live in poverty, and the median gross rent is $1,250, and the median house price is $344,600.

4. Hartford City

Hartford City is the center of Blackford County, and it lies in the northeast central part of Indiana. Hartford City has 6,086 residents, and it’s in the top safest and cheapest cities in Indiana.

The city’s original name was “Hart’s ford,” which marked a place to cross Lick Creek. Hartford City used to be a small farming community that experienced a substantial economic boom in the late 1880s. The boom was a result of the discovery and exploitation of the natural gas that was present in the land around Hartford City.

The earnings of the residents of Hartford City, however, are below the state average. The median household income in the town sits at $34,850, and the per capita earnings amount to $22,680, with nearly 16% of residents living in poverty. 

On the upside, Indiana crime statistics show that Hartford City is among the safest ones in the state. The crime rate per 100,000 people sits at 840 offenses, and there were 33 property crimes and 15 violent offenses in the city in 2019.

Properties are affordable, with a median house price of only $70,400 and a median gross rent of $633.

5. Tipton

Tipton is the county seat of Tipton County, and it belongs to the Kokomo Metropolitan Area. The 2020 census showed that the city has 5,275 residents, and Tipton is one of the safest towns in Indiana, with a moderate to low cost of living.

Until 1845, the area that is now Tipton was mostly empty, but all that changed when the post office called Canton was supposed to be built. There was already another town of the same name in Indiana, so residents chose something else. The town of Tipton was finally named in honor of John Tipton, a war veteran, and a politician who served as the United States Senator for Indiana. Tipton became an incorporated city of Indiana in 1884.

As one of the safest places to live in Indiana today, Tipton has a crime rate of 848 offenses per 100,000 people, and in 2019, law enforcement reported 34 property and only nine violent crimes.

The median household income is close to the state average at $52,538, and the per capita income is $25,839. Around 11.1% of residents live in poverty, which is below the average for Indiana, and rents are cheaper than in most other cities. The median gross rent sits at $775, and the median house cost is $146,800.

6. Carmel

Carmel is a suburb of Indianapolis, and it belongs to Clay County. If we were to list cities in Indiana by population, Carmel would be in the top largest ten, with 99,757 residents. Many people know Carmel as the “Roundabout Capital of the United States” as there are over 130 roundabouts in this city. Interestingly enough, one of the first electronic automated traffic signals was constructed there.

Carmel’s original name was Bethlehem. It was founded by Quakers Seth Green, Alexander Mills, Daniel Warren, and John Phelps. As Indiana already had a post office with that name, the town had to change the name to Carmel in 1874, and that same year, it officially became a town of Indiana. 

Some ask the question, “is Carmel, Indiana safe?”. Especially for low incidences of violent crime, Carmel is very safe. Its crime rate is only 878 per 100,000 residents, and in 2019 the police reported 30 violent and 807 property crimes.

People living in Carmel earn way above the state average. With per capita earnings of $60,895 and a median household income of $112,765. Only 3.5% of residents live in poverty, and the median house price in Carmel is $437,80, with a median gross rent of $1,207.

7. Crown Point

Crown Point is the center of Lake County. This city is among the best places to live in Indiana near Chicago, as it’s just 47 miles away, and according to the latest official estimates, Crown Point has 33,899 residents.

Crown Point is commonly referred to as the “Hub of Lake County.” The first settlers of the area were the Robinson family, and in 1837, the family donated money for a wooden county house enabling Crown Point to become the county seat. 

Crown Point officially became a city of Indiana in 1868. A new courthouse called “Grand Old Lady” was built in 1878, while the old one was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. Even though it’s one of the safest cities to live in Indiana today, Crown Point’s reputation was tarnished in the 1930s because of a famous prison break by John Dillinger.

Residents of Crown Point earn above the state average, with a median household income of $76,927 and a per capita income of $35,670. Less than 6% of residents live in poverty, and rents are higher than average. The median gross rent is $1,046, and the median house price is $282,300.

Crown Point is one of the safest cities in Indiana near Chicago, with a crime rate of 979 per 100,000 people, and in 2019, residents reported 290 property and seven violent crimes.

8. Noblesville

Noblesville is the county seat of Hamilton County. It’s a suburb of Indianapolis and belongs to the townships of Fall Creek, Delaware, Wayne, and Noblesville. Currently, the city has 69,604 residents.

With a crime rate of only 1,007 offenses per 100,000 residents, Noblesville is among the safest cities in Indiana, and in 2019, the police reported a total of 32 violent and 618 property crimes.

The first settler of the area was William Conner, the founder of Fishers. The second important settler of the town was Josiah Polk, and together they laid out the downtown and opened a trading post. 

There are two stories of how the city got its name: The first claims that the city was named after James Noble, who was a U.S. senator, and the second says the city received the name after Lavina Noble, Josiah Polk’s fiancée. 

As one of the best cities in Indiana to relocate to, Noblesville has a median household income of $82,218 and per capita earnings of $37,275. Around 6.5% of residents live in poverty, with the median house price settling a bit higher than in most other cities, at $284,600, and the median gross rent is $1,039.

9. Portland

Portland is the county seat of Jay County in Indiana. It’s part of Wayne Township, and the latest official data shows that the city has only 6,320. That makes it one of the best small towns to live in Indiana.

The city’s history dates back to 1837 and it’s the only community in Jay County which didn’t change its original name after the county started developing. This town had only about 300 residents during the 1850s, but the population drastically increased by 1871 with the arrival of the first train.

Residents of Portland earn below the Indiana average and have a high poverty level. The median household income in the city is $38,281, and the per capita earnings are $21,133, with more than 15% of Portland residents living in poverty.

Still, Portland is among the top safest cities in Indiana. The city’s crime rate is 1,269 crimes per 100,000 people, and there were 65 property offenses and 12 violent crimes in Portland in 2019. Properties are inexpensive, with a median house price of $101,400 and a median gross rent of $660.

10. Greenfield

Greenfield is another city that’s also a county seat. It belongs to Hancock County and is part of the Indianapolis Metro Area. The city lies within the borders of Center Township and is one of the best cities to live in Indiana for all those looking for a medium-sized city with many fun activities. Around 23,488 reside in Greenfield.

Greenfield used to be a vital stop along the Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Chicago, and St. Louis Railroad. This railroad connected Pittsburgh to St. Louis and Chicago, and after forming Hancock County, residents decided to make Greenfield the county seat in 1828. In 1876, Greenfield officially became a city, and about ten years later, residents discovered natural gas, which led to a massive population boom.

Greenfield’s economy is connected to the capital, and it’s one of the best areas to live in Indianapolis. Residents earn close to the state average, with per capita incomes of $27,590 and median household incomes of $53,270. Around 11% of people live in poverty. Rents are similar to the state average, with a median gross rent of $867 and a median house price of $191,200.

Greenfield has a crime rate of 1,425 per 100,000 people, and in 2019, residents reported 304 property and 21 violent crimes.

11. Fort Wayne

Fort Wayne is the center of Allen County, located in northeastern Indiana, and it currently has a population of 263,886 people.

The United States Army built Fort Wayne in 1794 under the direction of General Anthony Wayne, after whom the city got its name. Throughout history, Fort Wayne was a famous manufacturing town on the Rust Belt. 

Today’s economy is based on transportation, healthcare, services, distribution, hospitality, and financial services. It’s also a vital city for the defense industry, and due to its variety, Fort Wayne is among the best towns to live in Indiana for working people. The city has won an All-America City Award multiple times as well as an Outstanding Achievement City Livability Award.

Salaries in Fort Wayne are below the average for Indiana, though, with per capita earnings of $26,970 and median household incomes of $49,411. Around 16% of residents live in poverty, and properties are cheaper than in most other cities. The median gross rent is $764, and the median house price is $172,600.

The Fort Wayne, Indiana crime rate is above the state average at 3,123 per 100,000 people, and there were 7,437 property and 974 violent offenses in the city in 2019.

12. Bloomington

Bloomington is a city in central Indiana, and it’s the county seat of Monroe County. It currently has 79,168 residents, which places it on the list of top ten most populated cities in the state. As it’s the home of Indiana University Bloomington, the largest campus of Indiana University, a large number of residents are students. 

Because of its youthful spirit, Bloomington is among the cities that first come to people’s minds when asked, “what is the best area to live in Indiana?”. 

Bloomington was established in 1818 when a group of settlers from surrounding states discovered the “haven of blooms.” The first post office started working in 1825, attracting new residents, and two years later, Bloomington officially became a city of Indiana.

Despite many awards praising its quality of living, salaries in Bloomington are below Indiana average. The median household income in the city is $37,077, and the per capita income is $23,816. More than 35% of residents live in poverty, which is almost three times higher than the state average.

The Bloomington, Indiana crime rate sits at 3,194 offenses per 100,000 people, and residents reported 2,275 property and 463 violent crimes in 2019.

If you still think moving to Bloomington is a good idea, the median gross rent is $917, and the median home cost sits at $256,600.

13. Kokomo

Kokomo is the county seat of Howard County. It’s also the principal municipality of the Kokomo Metro Area, which encompasses a total of six counties. Kokomo has 59,604 residents, and official numbers show a considerable increase in Kokomo’s population in recent years. The Indiana crime map may tell a different story, though.

The city got its name after Chief Kokomo. He was a Native American of the Miami tribe who spent a part of his life in Indiana. The discovery of natural gas in the 1880s attracted many residents, which led to an economic boom. The automobile industry was also popular at that time, and it remains the staple of Kokomo’s economy.

Residents of Kokomo earn below the state average, with the median household income being $45,797 and the per capita earnings of $26,398. Nearly 19% of residents live in poverty.

The Kokomo, Indiana crime rate sits at 3,259 offenses per 100,000 people, which is above the state average, however, and in 2019, the police reported 392 violent and 1,493 property crimes.

Properties are affordable, with a median house price of $124,800, and a median gross rent of $695.

14. Muncie

Muncie is the principal city of the Muncie Metro Area and the county seat of Delaware County. It’s located in East Central Indiana, around 50 miles away from Indianapolis, and according to the latest stats, the city has 65,194 residents. 

This beautiful city is the home of Ball State University and is known as the best city to live in Indiana for researchers, as it’s one of the most studied places in the U.S. 

When the Lenape people arrived in the area, they created a couple of small villages along the White River, and one of them was Muncie. The city’s original name was Muncietown, and it, at first, was a tiny trading post before becoming the county seat in 1827. Since then, it has become a manufacturing and industrial center. Muncie officially became a city of Indiana in 1865, and it experienced a rise in population after the Indiana gas boom.

The Muncie, Indiana crime rate sits at 3,655 per 100,000 people, which is above the state average, and in 2018, residents reported 2,281 property and 219 violent crimes. The median household income is very low at $33,944, and the per capita earnings are $20,386, with over one-third of residents living in poverty.

The city offers relatively low housing costs, with a median house price of $100,500 and a median gross rent of $722.

15. Lafayette

Lafayette is the county seat of Tippecanoe County, and it’s the principal city of the Lafayette Metro Area. It’s full of parks, museums, and things to do, but many wonder, “is Lafayette, Indiana safe?” due to the area’s growing reputation for crime.

It was founded in 1825 when the first residents liked the area on the southeast bank of the Wabash River. The city gained its name after the French general Marquis de Lafayette, a hero in the Revolutionary War.

The most recent data on the Lafayette population tells us that the city has 70,783 residents. Residents earn less than most other people living in Indiana, with per capita earnings of $26,197 and a median household income of $46,374. Nearly 17% of residents live in poverty.

The Lafayette, Indiana crime rate is high and sits at 3,775 offenses per 100,000 residents, and there were a total of 352 violent crimes and 2,388 property offenses in Lafayette in 2019.

Properties are not as cheap as the low income might make you think. The median house price in Lafayette is $176,300, and the median gross rent is $817.

16. Gary

Gary belongs to Lake County of Indiana and is only 25 miles away from Chicago, Illinois. The city is close to the Indiana Dunes National Park and Lake Michigan, making it an excellent choice for nature lovers.

It was once one of the best places to live in southern Indiana, but now, Gary is practically a ghost town. Many residents claim that almost a third of the houses in the city are empty. Just like many cities in the Rust Belt, Gary experiences a decaying infrastructure and low employment rates. Today, Gary has only 69,093 residents.

Gary was established in 1906 and gained its name in honor of the lawyer Elbert Henry Gary, the founding chairman of the United States Steel Corporation. In the first 30 years, Gary was among the most prosperous towns in the area, with over 100,000 residents.

Today, the Gary, Indiana crime rate is 4,111 per 100,000 residents, which comes as no surprise considering the state of the economy. In 2019, residents committed 2,656 property and 414 violent crimes.

The median household income in Gary is below average at $31,936, and the per capita earnings are just $19,448. More than 30% of residents live in poverty, and the median home cost is $57,100, and the median gross rent sits at $785.

17. Evansville

Evansville is the county seat of Vanderburgh County, and it’s the principal city of the Evansville Metro Area. It has 117,298 residents and ranks third on our list of Indiana towns by population. 

This city is the hub of cultural, medical, and commercial activities in the south of the state. There are three NYSE companies with headquarters in Evansville: Berry Global, OneMain Financial, and Accuride. 

The city’s nicknames are the “River City” and “Crescent Valley.” Evansville is the home of the University of Southern Indiana and the University of Evansville.

Evansville became a town in Indiana in 1812, but its official incorporation came in 1817. The city got its name after General Robert Morgan Evans, an influential figure and the ninth Speaker of the Indiana House of Representatives.

The Evansville, Indiana crime rate is 4,790 per 100,000 people. That’s over two times higher than the state average, and in 2019, the police reported 721 violent and 4,917 property offenses.

The median household income in Evansville falls below the state average at $40,178, and the per capita earnings are $24,675. Almost 22% of residents live in poverty, but properties are inexpensive, with the median gross rent sitting at $774 and the median house price at $159,400.

18. Anderson

Anderson is the county seat of Madison County in Indiana, and the principal municipality of the Anderson Metropolitan Area. It’s not one of the safest counties in Indiana, but it is the headquarters of the Church of God and the home of Anderson University.

Anderson was founded in 1823, where a Delaware Indian village once existed. It gained its name after Koktowhanund, also known as Chief William Anderson. The city’s population and economic growth started in 1886 when residents discovered an abundance of natural gas in the area. Currently, Anderson has 54,788 residents.

Anderson residents have a lower quality of life. The median household income is $31,936, and the per capita earnings are $19,448. Over 30% of residents live in poverty, and the Anderson, Indiana crime rate is very high at 4,259 per 100,000 people. In 2019, law enforcement reported 2,096 property and 242 violent crimes.

Property values remain low, with a median home value of only $73,000 and a median gross rent of $757, which is below the state average.

19. Indianapolis

Indianapolis is the state capital and the largest city in Indiana, and it’s the county seat of Marion County. According to the 2020 census data, “Indy” as many call it, has 887,642 residents.

As it offers the largest number of options, Indianapolis is the first choice for many potential residents, which raises the question: “is Indianapolis safe to live?”. The city has a crime rate of 5,402 offenses per 100,000 people, and it’s among the most dangerous cities in the country. In 2019, residents reported 36,237 property and 11,170 violent crimes.

Still, the population of Indianapolis has been on the rise for decades. It first became famous upon the completion of the National and Michigan roads and the arrival of the railway, giving it the nicknames “Crossroads of America” and the “Railroad City.”

While it’s not the safest option to move to, Indianapolis offers so many possibilities. Some areas are better than others, so looking at the Indianapolis crime rate by neighborhood can help find a safe haven in this bustling metropolis. A typical home costs $183,000, and the median gross rent is $892.

Residents of Indianapolis earn below the state average, with a median household income of $47,873 and per capita earnings of $28,363. About 18% of people live in poverty.

20. South Bend

As the county seat of St. Joseph County and one of the largest cities in Indiana, South Bend is a crucial region in the state. It’s the principal city of the South Bend Metro Area, and according to the latest estimates, it has 103,453 residents.

The South Bend, Indiana crime rate is exceptionally high, with 5,545 offenses per 100,000 people. There were 1,357 violent and 4,296 property crimes in the city in 2019. 

South Bend does offer many possibilities, however. The biggest industries in the city are education, tourism, health care, and small business. The city is currently developing a technology center, and officials believe it will attract new residents. They might be right because, despite being among the most dangerous cities in Indiana in 2021, the city is experiencing its first population growth in 50 years.

The per capita income in South Bend is $22,863, and the median household earnings are $40,265. Nearly 24% of residents live in poverty, which is above the state average. The median gross rent is below average, at $789, and the median house cost is only $138,500.