Why the Ultra Wealthy are Flocking to Indianapolis

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Midwest New Wealth Capital: How Indianapolis Is Changing
• Tax Advantages for High-Net-Worth Families
• The Relative Value of Indianapolis Luxury Real Estate
• National Recognition and Top-Ranked Suburbs
• Privacy, Space, and Discretion in the Indy Metro
• Infrastructure, Connectivity, and Global Access
• Where the Ultra Wealthy Are Buying Around Indianapolis
• Practical Considerations When Moving to Indianapolis
• How Strategic Planning Gives Buyers an Edge
• Final thoughts
• FAQs
• Next steps if you are moving to Indianapolis

Introduction

More high net worth families, executives, and entrepreneurs are quietly choosing Indianapolis as their primary or secondary home. If you are considering moving to Indianapolis, this trend matters because it reveals what wealthy buyers value most: meaningful tax savings, bigger homes and lots, privacy, and a high quality of life that does not feel ostentatious.

Indianapolis today offers a rare combination: Midwest values and accessibility with modern corporate growth and national recognition. For anyone considering moving to Indianapolis, that combination delivers both lifestyle advantages and long-term financial benefits.

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Midwest New Wealth Capital: How Indianapolis Is Changing

Indianapolis is emerging as the Midwest's new wealth capital. Major corporate investments are reshaping the local economy and drawing high-salary roles to the region. One standout is Eli Lilly, whose multi-billion dollar expansion around Lebanon and the Leap District brings thousands of construction jobs and more than a thousand permanent biotech and executive positions.

Other large employers like Salesforce, Cummins, and Roche Diagnostics continue to expand local operations. When you are planning a move to Indianapolis as an executive or investor, these employer-driven opportunities translate into peer networks, local demand for premium services, and a growing market for luxury real estate.

Tax Advantages for High-Net-Worth Families

Taxes are a central reason the ultra wealthy are choosing Indiana. The state has a flat income tax that is decreasing to 3 percent, and Indiana eliminated estate and inheritance taxes in 2013. That combination creates a wealth-friendly environment for people thinking about legacy planning and long-term retention.

Property taxes are constitutionally capped for primary residences at 1 percent of assessed value and remain modest for most residential structures and investment properties. Compared to states like Illinois, New York, and California, those caps can mean ongoing savings measured in tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars over a decade when you are moving to Indianapolis with a sizable real estate portfolio.

The Relative Value of Indianapolis Luxury Real Estate

Perhaps the most tangible reason ultra wealthy buyers are relocating is value. High-end suburbs like Carmel, Zionsville, Meridian Hills, and Westfield often average between $250 and $350 per square foot. With a two to three million dollar budget you can secure 5,000 to 7,000 square foot custom homes on half-acre lots or larger, often with pools, smart home systems, and premium finishes.

To put that in perspective, a comparable custom home in Los Angeles or Miami could easily exceed $1,000 per square foot. If you are moving to Indianapolis from a coastal market, you get three to four times the square footage and outdoor space for the same investment.

National Recognition and Top-Ranked Suburbs

Indianapolis suburbs frequently appear on national livability lists. Carmel ranked number four on Money Magazine's best places to live in 2024 and neighborhoods like Westfield, Zionsville, and Fishers also earn consistent recognition. These accolades reinforce the perception that moving to Indianapolis delivers both community quality and market stability.

Places that score highly on these lists tend to have three things in common: excellent schools, robust trail systems and parks, and cultural anchors. Carmel, for example, offers more than 200 miles of trails and a Center for the Performing Arts that draws families and professionals who want a cultural balance without the hassles of larger coastal cities.

Privacy, Space, and Discretion in the Indy Metro

Indianapolis has an ingrained culture of quiet wealth. For many affluent buyers this discretion is a feature, not a bug. They want to participate in community life, support local institutions, and enjoy amenities — but without the constant public exposure found in larger media markets.

If you are moving to Indianapolis and value privacy, the metro offers gated enclaves, large lots, and neighborhoods where large estates sit unobtrusively behind mature trees and long driveways. That combination is particularly attractive to business owners and professional athletes seeking a year-round retreat close to urban conveniences.

Infrastructure, Connectivity, and Global Access

Great connectivity matters. Indianapolis International Airport has been ranked the top airport in North America by J.D. Power for multiple years and offers strong direct flight options plus private jet accessibility. The airport’s role as a major FedEx global hub and a large UPS regional center further strengthens business logistics.

Travel times to the airport from most metro suburbs are reasonable — generally under 40 minutes — which makes frequent business travel or easy access to coastal hubs straightforward when you are moving to Indianapolis.

Where the Ultra Wealthy Are Buying Around Indianapolis

Luxury buyers are not concentrated in a single neighborhood. They are spread across the greater Indianapolis metro, choosing communities that match their lifestyle preferences from urban legacy estates to gated golf course enclaves and lakefront properties. The following neighborhoods and towns consistently attract high-end buyers.

Carmel

Carmel is the signature luxury suburb of the metro. It blends walkable mixed-use development, design-focused neighborhoods, and top-rated schools. The cultural core — Midtown, the arts and design district, theaters, boutique retail, and restaurants — makes Carmel feel like a small city while still offering the safety and space families want.

Luxury homes in Carmel typically range from $1.5 million to $4 million, with custom properties exceeding that. For anyone moving to Indianapolis who prioritizes walkability and high-end architecture, Carmel delivers a live-work-play balance that works for families and executives alike.

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Zionsville

Zionsville presents an appealing contrast: historic, postcard-perfect downtown charm combined with modern gated golf communities. The brick main street feels like a small town, while nearby developments like Holiday Farms — built around a Pete Dye championship golf course — offer significant privacy and high-end custom construction.

Custom homes in Zionsville can range from $1.5 million up to $5 million depending on lot placement, golf course frontage, and the degree of customization. When you are moving to Indianapolis and want a quieter, more private lifestyle with country club amenities, Zionsville often fits the bill.

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Westfield

Westfield is rapidly evolving. Grand Park, a massive youth sports and mixed-use campus, draws millions of visitors and has helped turn Westfield into a regional commercial and residential hub. Chatham Hills, another Pete Dye design, anchors golf-centered luxury living here.

Custom homes in Westfield typically sit between $1.2 million and $3 million and neighborhoods often deliver resort-style amenities such as fitness centers, pools, tennis and pickleball courts, and private dining options. For families moving to Indianapolis who want new construction and community amenities, Westfield is a strong contender.

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Meridian Hills and Williams Creek

Inside the city, Meridian Hills and Williams Creek are the legacy neighborhoods where old money and classic estates meet modern updates. These areas offer tree-lined streets, sprawling lots, and timeless architecture that appeal to buyers who value prestige and proximity to downtown Indianapolis.

Homes here often range from $1.5 million to $4 million, with larger estates exceeding that. Buyers moving to Indianapolis with an eye toward legacy properties should budget for possible infrastructure updates, mechanical systems, or foundation work common with older estates.

Geist Reservoir

Geist Reservoir is the primary lakefront destination inside the metro. With nearly 1,900 acres of water, it supports boating, watersports, fishing, and waterfront dining. Luxury enclaves like Cambridge Canal Place and The Springs of Cambridge offer custom estates with private docks and panoramic views.

For anyone moving to Indianapolis who wants a year-round vacation-at-home, Geist delivers lakefront living within commuting distance of downtown. Keep in mind that addresses around the reservoir — Indianapolis, Fishers, or McCordsville — can affect services, taxes, and school boundaries, so choose carefully.

Fishers

Fishers is family-focused sophistication. Once one of the fastest-growing cities in the state, it has matured into a cultural hub with parks, restaurants, and mixed-use zones like The Yard at Fishers District. Luxury construction has moved east of Geist toward quieter neighborhoods offering newer homes and privacy.

Buyers moving to Indianapolis and choosing Fishers often cite convenience, parks, and excellent schools. If schools are a priority, confirm exact boundaries because Fishers spans two high school districts and a street or two can shift a home from one to the other.

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Practical Considerations When Moving to Indianapolis

Whether you are relocating from a coastal city or moving to Indianapolis from a nearby state, there are specific considerations luxury buyers should weigh:

• Off-market inventory: Top properties in Carmel and other high-end areas often sell off-market or through local networks. Local relationships matter.
• HOA and club rules: Gated communities and golf enclaves have membership fees, architectural guidelines, and variable build timelines. Review all documents thoroughly before committing.
• Legacy estate maintenance: Older premier homes can require substantial budgets for mechanical systems, drainage, or foundation work.
• Address implications: Around Geist and other boundary areas, a mailing address can affect taxes, schools, and services.

Paying attention to these details will make a move to Indianapolis smoother and protect against costly surprises.

How Strategic Planning Gives Buyers an Edge

One common mistake is hiring an agent who lacks experience in luxury transactions or in the specific submarket you are considering. For buyers moving to Indianapolis, deep local knowledge can mean the difference between missing a property that sells off-market and securing the right estate at a fair price.

Being prepared with clear priorities, trusted inspections, and a strong local advisor produces better outcomes. When making a move to Indianapolis with a luxury budget, the right relationships and timing are as important as the offer itself.

Final thoughts

Indianapolis offers something increasingly rare: substantial space, meaningful value, and access to both metropolitan amenities and quieter private communities. For families and executives planning a move to Indianapolis, the metro provides options that deliver lifestyle, financial advantages, and a balance between community engagement and discretion.

When you consider moving to Indianapolis, think through taxes, neighborhood culture, access to corporate centers, and the type of privacy you need. The market rewards preparation and local expertise, and the neighborhoods outlined above provide a strong starting point whether you want a waterfront estate on Geist, a modern golf course home in Zionsville, or a walkable luxury life in Carmel.

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FAQs

What are the main reasons wealthy families choose to move to Indianapolis?

They are attracted by a combination of lower taxes, no estate and inheritance taxes, capped property taxes, strong corporate expansion, high quality suburbs, and excellent value in luxury real estate compared with coastal cities.

How does the tax environment benefit someone moving to Indianapolis?

Indiana’s flat income tax, elimination of estate and inheritance taxes, and constitutional caps on property taxes for primary residences help preserve wealth and reduce long-term holding costs for homeowners.

Which neighborhoods should I consider if I am moving to Indianapolis for luxury living?

Top areas include Carmel for walkable luxury, Zionsville for gated golf and charm, Westfield for resort-style communities, Meridian Hills for legacy estates, Geist Reservoir for waterfront living, and Fishers for family-friendly sophistication.

Are there off-market opportunities when moving to Indianapolis?

Yes. Many premier properties in Carmel and other luxury pockets sell off-market or through local networks. Working with a connected local advisor improves chances of accessing these listings.

What should buyers watch for when buying in gated or golf communities after moving to Indianapolis?

Carefully review membership fees, architectural guidelines, build timelines, and lot-specific rules. These can vary significantly and sometimes differ lot by lot within the same community.

Does the Indianapolis area offer good airport access for frequent travelers?

Yes. Indianapolis International Airport ranks highly for customer satisfaction and offers many direct flights and private aviation options. It is typically within a 40-minute drive from major suburbs.

Next steps if you are moving to Indianapolis

If you are serious about moving to Indianapolis, develop a short list of priorities: school preferences, preferred neighborhood character, amount of privacy and lot size desired, and whether you want newer construction or a legacy estate. Connect with a local specialist who understands the nuances of high-end markets and off-market inventory.

Indianapolis is quietly becoming a strategic choice for wealthy buyers. With thoughtful planning and the right local guidance, moving to Indianapolis can deliver a lifestyle upgrade and a stronger financial foundation for the future.

If you need to buy a home in Indianapolis, contact me — call or text: 317-932-8620.  I’ll help you find the right property and navigate the luxury market.

READ MORE: Where to Live Around Indianapolis: A Practical Guide to Choosing the Right Spot