Carmel and Fishers Ranked Best Places to Live

For Hoosiers living in two Indiana towns, they're already living where the rest of the country wants to move.

U.S. News & World Report has released its 2026-2027 Best Places to Live ranking, and two Indiana cities landed at the very top of the national list.

Carmel ranked #1 overall, while Fishers came in at #2.

Get our free mobile app

What the Ranking Looked At

According to U.S. News & World Report, the rankings evaluated 250 major U.S. cities using factors including:

Value
Quality of life
Job market
Desirability

The study weighed factors like commute times, housing affordability, household income, healthcare access, education quality, crime rates, infrastructure, environmental risks, and local economy data.

We can't say that we are terribly surprised to see Carmel and Fishers rank highly.

Both cities have built reputations over the years for strong schools, rapid growth, family-focused amenities, clean neighborhoods, and relatively strong local economies.

Carmel Claimed the Top Spot in America

According to the report, Camel has a population of 13,768 with a median household income of $144,615. Median home value is $477,625, and median monthly rent is $1,457. U.S. News gave Carmel an overall score of 7.2.

Fishers Ranked Right Behind Carmel

Fishers landed immediately behind Camel in the national ranking with the same overall score of 7.2. Fishers has a population of 102,895. The median household income is $136,502, and home prices and rent are slightly less, with median home values at $405,882 and median rent at $1,404.

Indiana Continues Drawing National Attention

I think Indiana still surprises people outside the Midwest sometimes.

A lot of people picture endless cornfields and nothing else, but cities like Carmel and Fishers have spent years investing heavily in infrastructure, parks, entertainment districts, trails, schools, and community development.

That said, those housing prices are also a reminder that "best places to live" often come with a pretty hefty price tag attached these days.

Still, seeing two Indiana cities take the top two spots nationally is a pretty big flex for the Hoosier state.

Don't Miss These Cat Cafés Across Indiana

Whether you're looking for a quick visit or a weekend road trip, these Indiana cat cafés offer a chance to relax, unplug, and possibly meet the cat you didn’t know you needed. Some serve coffee, some serve boba, and there's even one that is half vintage shop and half cat café.

Click "learn more" under each café below to find details about hours, age restrictions, cost of admission, etc.

Gallery Credit: Kat Mykals