You’re scouting the best Indianapolis suburbs for young families, and that means balancing kid-friendly fun with hard numbers. The five towns below earn their spots using data from U.S. Census QuickFacts, Indiana Department of Education, MIBOR Market Insights, and the IndyGo System Map.
1. Carmel
- Median Home Price – $490 k
- School Score – Straight A’s across every Carmel Clay campus, per the Indiana Department of Education.
- Why it wins – A gold-medal parks system and a walkable downtown keep weekends busy without leaving the neighborhood.
2. Fishers
- Median Home Price – $415 k
- School Score – Hamilton Southeastern Schools post top-ten test results statewide.
- Commute – Twenty-five minutes to Monument Circle via I-69.
- Best for – STEM-minded families; the city hosts Indiana’s first certified smart-city lab.
3. Plainfield
- Median Home Price – $320 k
- School Score – Plainfield Community School Corporation holds an A grade.
- Perk for parents – The 4-mile Plainfield Trail System links playgrounds, splash pads, and the award-winning Richard A. Carlucci Rec Center.
4. McCordsville
- Median Home Price – $376 k (new-build average)
- School Score – Many addresses feed into Hamilton Southeastern’s A-rated campuses.
- Growth Factor – Census figures show the population doubling since 2010, drawing new grocery, dining, and medical services.
- Why families like it – Larger lots and quick trips to Geist Reservoir for boating or lakeside picnics.
5. Brownsburg
- Median Home Price – $340 k
- School Score – Brownsburg Community Schools sit in the state’s top decile.
- Bonus – Easy I-74 access keeps downtown commutes under a half-hour while preserving a small-town vibe.
Family-Focused Scorecard
| Suburb | Median Home Price | School Grade | Typical Downtown Drive |
| Carmel | $490,000 | A | 30 miles via US-31 |
| Fishers | $415,000 | A | 25 miles via I-69 |
| Plainfield | $320,000 | A | 20 miles via I-70 |
| McCordsville | $376,000 | A/B* | 25 miles via Pendleton Pike |
| Brownsburg | $340,000 | A | 22 miles via I-74 |
*Most neighborhoods are served by Hamilton Southeastern Schools (A); a few fall under Mt. Vernon Schools (B)
Imagine Your Next Chapter
Ready to turn these insights into a new address? Explore family-focused communities across central Indiana at Taylor Morrison and find the perfect place to put down roots.
Blog is intended for general informational purposes only and not as an exhaustive comparison of all factors applicable to your personal financial situation. Data used was derived from third-party sources and deemed reliable as of the date obtained, but not guaranteed, offered as investment or tax advice, or independently verified by Taylor Morrison; all information remains subject to change outside of Taylor Morrison’s control. Images do not reflect a racial, ethnic, age or familial status preference. All registered and unregistered marks of third parties used for illustrative purposes only are the exclusive property of the respective owners. ©January 2026, Taylor Morrison, Inc.
