Quality of life matters to all future homeowners, but young families in Indiana may have tighter finances that limit their options. And some couples may be trying to find the best place to buy their first house at the same time they are preparing for their first child.

NerdWallet crunched the data for the second year in a row to help people find the “Best Cities for Young Families.” Our analysis considers several factors:

• Home affordability. We looked at median home value and selected monthly homeowner costs to prioritize affordable communities.
• Prosperity and growth. Looking at current and past family incomes, we calculated the income of residents, as well as the projected long-term growth of each city.
• Quality of education. We looked at ratings from GreatSchools to find the best schools for young families.
• Family friendliness. This year, we added a new component to our methodology — the percentage of families with school-age children and the poverty rate for young children. This measure helps determine if an area is not only affordable for families, but if it is also a healthy one for children.

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NerdWallet crunched the data for 109 places in Indiana —cities, towns and census-designated places. Only places with over 5,000 residents were analyzed. To see the full data set, click here.

Our analysis of Indiana revealed some trends:

Capital communities. Sprawling out in every direction, seven of 10 of our top cities were around Indianapolis.

Home values are high. Our methodology favors affordable communities, and in Indiana, we found that the high quality of life offset higher housing prices.

Larger cities dominate. In Midwest communities, we often find that smaller cities are the best cities for young families. But in Indiana, the average population for our top 10 cities is 32,000.

Best Cities for Young Families in Indiana

1. Fishers

Residents in Fishers will find highly rated schools balanced with recreational activities. Families can watch free movies in the fall, go to a “Glow in the Park” party in the Nickel Plate District and check out the annual pumpkin festival. With a median home value of $209,700, housing costs are slightly above Indiana’s average, but our data found Fishers is worth the investment for families focused on quality of life.

2. Westfield

This family friendly community, which has the highest percentage of families with children in the state, is within commuting distance of Indianapolis. In Westfield, family income has grown to just over $100,000 in the past 15 years.

3. Granger

Granger, a census-designated place outside South Bend — home of Notre Dame University — is a middle-income community of just under 30,000. Granger has a number of families with children, and a zero percent poverty rate for young children. The 51.9% of residents with at least a bachelor’s degree is twice as high as the state average, which suggests that Notre Dame’s faculty make Granger their home. The median family income here is $102,000, and the public schools have earned an 8 out of 10 ranking at GreatSchools.

4. Brownsburg

With its location 17 miles outside Indianapolis, Brownsburg is a draw for residents seeking an affordable mid-size community near a large metro area. The median home value of $144,100 makes Brownsburg the second-most affordable place in our top 10, yet the poverty rate for young families is low. The town features several parks, including Arbuckle Acres, Williams Park and Stephens Park, and along with the town’s low cost of living, comes highly ranked schools, which received an 8 at GreatSchools.

5. Avon

Avon, a Brownsburg neighbor, is another community outside Indianapolis, with convenient access to Highway 36 and the Indianapolis airport. Avon is smaller and slightly more expensive than Brownsburg — the median home value in Avon is $164,900. In addition to academics, the town’s schools also excel in the arts: the marching band has won two national championships. Music also makes it mark elsewhere in the town that is home to the Hendricks Symphony and Choir.

6. Carmel

There’s no shortage of positive developments in Carmel — one of the fastest-growing cities in the state. Young families here will find company: 35% of residents have children. The Meridian Corridor provides job opportunities for working parents, who have seen the median family income grow by a third in the past 15 years. Home values — at a median of $297,300 — are the second highest in the state, so buying a house here can present a challenge for families who want to move to Carmel.

7. Zionsville

Zionsville’s strong schools, which were rated 9 at GreatSchools, come with a bonus: the community is near Indianapolis, just an 18-mile commute for working parents. The town, and its village style downtown area, is known as a family friendly community. Zionsville’s Fourth of July fireworks show brings visitors from all over the state.

8. Batesville

A bit more rural than many of the communities featured on our list, Batesville makes the top 10 due to its affordable housing and schools. Batesville’s schools earned an 8 in a place where the median home value is $181,000. Although, it’s farther from metro areas, Batesville is located about the same distance from Indianapolis or Cincinnati. Residents find jobs at the Batesville Casket Co. and Hill-Rom, a health-care equipment manufacturer.

9. Boonville

As the place where President Abraham Lincoln studied law, Boonville is a city that has a rich history. In addition to being home of the Warrick County Museum, the city also has a downtown historical district. The city is smaller, with a population of 6,238, but with home values at $90,600, it is the most affordable place for homebuyers on our list.

10. Plainfield

Rounding out our list is Plainfield, a city of 28,000 about 20 miles from Indianapolis. The median home value of $147,000 puts Plainfield in an affordable range, and its school system ranked 8 out of 10 by GreatSchools. Residents can choose from a variety of parks and other activities — from the Vandalia Trail to the Recreation and Aquatic Center and more.

 Best Cities for Young Families in Indiana

	Location	GreatSchools rank	Median home value	1999-2013 family income growth	2013 median family income	Percent of families with at least 1 child under 18	Young Families Score
1	Fishers	9	$209,700	28.26%	$105,136	38.80%	75.58
2	Westfield	8	$217,400	54.78%	$100,931	39.10%	75.53
3	Granger CDP	8	$193,200	22.74%	$102,086	34.40%	71.59
4	Brownsburg	8	$144,100	24.99%	$79,049	29.00%	70.20
5	Avon	8	$164,900	23.50%	$84,235	32.20%	69.51
6	Carmel	9	$297,300	33.30%	$125,580	35.10%	67.44
7	Zionsville	9	$336,700	35.67%	$129,375	38.40%	66.59
8	Batesville	8	$181,000	36.25%	$79,829	26.30%	66.13
9	Boonville	7	$90,600	34.22%	$56,500	19.70%	64.71
10	Plainfield	8	$147,900	19.53%	$69,079	25.80%	64.67
11	Noblesville	8	$168,500	13.92%	$80,785	28.00%	64.37
12	Tell City	7	$90,200	39.23%	$57,500	14.90%	64.31
13	York	6	$125,000	19.71%	$70,372	27.70%	63.88
14	Huntingburg	7	$107,900	29.76%	$54,400	23.30%	63.87
15	Dyer	7	$191,100	26.09%	$86,643	25.90%	62.02
16	Jasper	7	$128,600	25.21%	$65,903	21.80%	62.00
17	St. John	7	$250,300	38.96%	$104,542	33.50%	61.94
18	Lakes of the Four Seasons CDP	6	$179,700	36.10%	$93,778	24.20%	61.52
19	Decatur	6	$93,800	17.50%	$52,550	19.50%	60.48
20	Crown Point	8	$172,500	16.86%	$75,112	20.30%	60.23
21	Munster	8	$196,400	23.99%	$92,072	22.20%	59.92
22	Dunlap CDP	4	$125,000	11.87%	$62,112	30.90%	59.50
23	Lowell	5	$145,600	28.29%	$70,299	27.70%	58.97
24	Hartford City	6	$60,700	10.52%	$43,826	17.50%	58.96
25	Danville	6	$150,200	12.09%	$70,409	26.90%	58.89
26	Washington	5	$76,700	32.85%	$50,100	17.30%	58.65
27	Greenwood	7	$131,900	15.29%	$66,060	21.60%	58.50
28	Greencastle	6	$115,400	42.42%	$58,750	20.30%	58.39
29	Nappanee	7	$129,900	-8.28%	$48,913	27.70%	58.33
30	Sellersburg	4	$109,300	37.45%	$63,929	20.20%	58.19
31	Chesterton	7	$168,900	15.64%	$76,601	24.60%	58.06
32	Hobart	6	$132,800	25.21%	$68,961	19.20%	57.88
33	Princeton	4	$82,400	28.29%	$47,862	21.20%	57.73
34	Cedar Lake	6	$153,900	26.26%	$63,672	22.50%	57.32
35	Mount Vernon	6	$94,800	19.48%	$59,063	18.10%	57.02
36	Greensburg	7	$103,300	12.05%	$50,915	15.80%	56.99
37	Valparaiso	8	$162,800	5.67%	$64,077	20.40%	56.81
38	Bluffton	7	$94,000	6.34%	$48,167	13.90%	56.39
39	Auburn	6	$104,800	3.56%	$54,563	20.30%	56.32
40	Ellettsville	5	$119,400	31.81%	$56,614	20.30%	55.81
41	Schererville	7	$207,800	22.55%	$86,364	19.70%	55.72
42	Huntington	5	$75,000	9.91%	$47,759	16.60%	55.24
43	Portland	6	$68,400	8.24%	$44,736	14.20%	55.00
44	Lawrence	6	$125,500	9.87%	$62,199	19.30%	54.79
45	Highland	6	$153,900	21.34%	$71,718	19.10%	54.77
46	Franklin	5	$115,700	13.48%	$59,353	22.50%	54.67
47	New Haven	5	$92,200	14.25%	$56,664	21.00%	54.52
48	Greenfield	6	$118,100	8.45%	$56,836	20.70%	54.36
49	Lebanon	6	$112,700	14.01%	$54,460	17.80%	54.11
50	Columbus	5	$140,900	26.73%	$66,273	20.60%	53.96
51	Jeffersonville	5	$126,300	33.22%	$60,299	17.40%	53.93
52	Charles	5	$110,600	31.16%	$46,681	14.80%	53.76
53	Gas City	5	$78,000	17.69%	$49,497	14.60%	53.58
54	Plymouth	6	$85,700	-3.29%	$40,085	22.30%	53.50
55	Brazil	5	$72,500	5.73%	$39,722	19.50%	52.60
56	Beech Grove	6	$93,600	0.24%	$47,058	19.20%	52.45
57	North Manchester	6	$94,700	9.39%	$51,172	14.80%	52.44
58	La Porte	6	$91,600	2.14%	$46,763	15.80%	52.40
59	Warsaw	6	$115,900	10.30%	$49,803	16.40%	52.32
60	Scottsburg	4	$99,300	18.40%	$43,905	16.30%	52.14
61	Fort Wayne	4	$99,900	22.57%	$55,206	17.70%	51.90
62	Mooresville	5	$125,100	18.27%	$62,143	19.40%	51.25
63	Seymour	4	$101,200	15.87%	$50,238	19.40%	51.24
64	Portage	5	$140,100	19.65%	$64,987	17.80%	51.16
65	Peru	5	$57,000	0.16%	$39,503	16.70%	50.85
66	Bedford	5	$88,600	10.06%	$43,430	16.00%	50.78
67	Terre Haute	5	$76,800	13.32%	$42,630	13.40%	50.63
68	Madison	5	$117,800	18.52%	$54,807	16.20%	50.45
69	Martinsville	6	$97,400	5.05%	$42,338	15.80%	50.38
70	Wabash	4	$77,800	8.16%	$47,607	18.70%	50.31
71	Elwood	3	$73,200	19.24%	$43,212	18.40%	49.96
72	Rushville	5	$82,000	13.98%	$41,769	17.00%	49.50
73	Salem	5	$80,700	12.23%	$41,726	15.40%	49.14
74	New Albany	6	$110,100	11.97%	$47,021	12.90%	48.95
75	Connersville	6	$68,900	-5.48%	$38,595	12.60%	48.67
76	Vincennes	3	$74,000	32.95%	$47,095	15.00%	48.63
77	North Vernon	4	$78,400	2.52%	$42,054	17.70%	48.55
78	Crawfordsville	5	$91,600	-5.16%	$40,981	16.70%	48.45
79	Lake Station	4	$81,200	8.60%	$45,017	18.10%	48.23
80	Columbia City	5	$94,700	1.23%	$47,939	14.90%	47.99
81	Griffith	4	$140,900	13.77%	$64,949	16.90%	47.84
82	Frankfort	3	$82,300	16.74%	$49,830	16.00%	47.80
83	Mishawaka	5	$93,900	10.64%	$46,411	12.30%	47.72
84	Lafayette	4	$102,200	15.84%	$52,686	15.90%	47.69
85	Angola	5	$109,100	4.67%	$45,896	14.90%	47.47
86	Speedway	7	$117,500	0.04%	$49,025	8.90%	47.43
87	Clarksville	3	$114,200	20.18%	$53,704	17.80%	46.63
88	New Castle	4	$67,400	8.27%	$40,563	12.80%	46.18
89	Kokomo	3	$84,000	12.21%	$50,890	15.70%	45.99
90	Shelbyville	6	$98,500	-6.35%	$43,434	13.30%	45.98
91	Merrillville	4	$130,400	11.75%	$62,975	15.80%	45.52
92	Logansport	3	$65,100	-0.78%	$40,181	18.10%	45.47
93	Goshen	3	$107,800	-0.63%	$46,582	18.70%	45.36
94	West Lafayette	4	$174,500	24.25%	$88,851	13.00%	44.96
95	Indianapolis (balance)	4	$118,000	6.36%	$51,857	14.90%	43.91
96	Kendallville	4	$82,900	5.17%	$44,531	10.60%	43.64
97	South Bend	3	$85,100	9.00%	$42,562	14.80%	42.91
98	Bloomington	6	$171,900	8.63%	$54,375	10.50%	42.85
99	Evansville	3	$90,000	13.32%	$46,565	12.50%	42.72
100	Hammond	2	$92,400	7.36%	$45,330	18.00%	42.26
101	Rochester	6	$89,500	-9.94%	$37,778	13.10%	42.22
102	Richmond	4	$81,300	2.09%	$39,146	14.80%	41.68
103	Elkhart	3	$85,900	-8.36%	$37,126	16.60%	41.30
104	Muncie	3	$73,200	10.90%	$40,364	10.00%	41.11
105	Marion	3	$65,200	4.19%	$39,297	9.40%	39.92
106	Michigan City	3	$93,100	14.32%	$45,181	10.90%	39.19
107	Anderson	2	$73,600	9.14%	$43,166	12.00%	38.65
108	East Chicago	2	$82,900	0.09%	$31,806	14.70%	34.69
109	Gary	2	$65,400	-1.54%	$31,709	6.70%	29.99

 

Methodology

All data are from the 2013 U.S. Census Bureau’s American Communities Survey. Our methodology took into account four factors:

Home affordability. Home affordability, 30% of the final score, was calculated by averaging index scores for median home value and median selected monthly owner costs. The lower the costs, the higher the score.

Growth and prosperity. Growth and prosperity make up 20% of the final score. The two metrics involved were growth in family income from 1999 to 2013, and the median family income in 2013. Both were weighted equally and positively.

Family friendliness. To measure if an area is a good one for families, which is 30% of our final score, we looked at the percentage of married couples with at least one child under 18, and the percentage of families in poverty with at least one child under age 5. The percentage of families with at least one child was 70% of the score, while the percentage of families in poverty was 30% of the score.

Educational quality. Using data from GreatSchools, every place was assigned a ranking from 1 to 10 for the quality of schools. The education score is 20% of the final score.