Indiana, with its motto “The Crossroads of America,” offers an array of amenities to residents. The Hoosier State is a rich mix of business, industry, sports, education and truly American landscapes. The state ranks highly among the Best Places to Do Business in America making it the perfect spot to live, work and play.

Moving Advice

• You do not need a moving permit when moving to Indiana, but it is a good idea to contact your city to find out what parking restrictions apply.
• Spring and summer bring tornadoes, so remember to listen to the weather reports, especially when you are on the road.
• Note that Indiana is in two different time zones: Eastern Time and Central Time. Check your time zone to avoid missing appointments!
• Indiana roads tend to be filled with lots of trash, litter and other debris, so be extra careful when driving.
• Traffic tends to be heavy around Hammond and Gary, as well as around Indianapolis. Check your route before moving to Indiana so you know ahead of time where your exit is.

Change your address online. To make your move from California to Indiana easier, consider changing your address online. It is easy to do, inexpensive, and will ensure that your mail arrives to your new home with you.

Cities and Metro Areas

Indiana is a state with large regional differences and cities that each have their own flavor. Some attractive places to live include South Bend, which is home to the University of Notre Dame, and South Bend serves as the cultural and economic hub of Northern Indiana. Meanwhile, Carmel is located immediately north of Indianapolis and ranked among the fastest growing communities in America, with residents privy to amenities such as huge retail centers like Clay Terrace and Village Park Plaza.

Cost of Living

The average salary in the Hoosier State is $41,660, which is only slightly below the US average of $49,808. Indiana is consistently ranked one of the most affordable states in the country to live in. In recent years Indiana has been ranked number six of all states regarding overall affordability. The cost of living in Indiana, while considered very reasonable, varies across the state. In general, rural areas and small towns have a lower cost of living than larger cities.

Like most states across the country, the Indiana housing market has been increasing steadily for the past decade. However, the COVID-19 pandemic brought a sudden change of pace. As remote work became a widespread reality for many employees, allowing households to move further away from their place of employment to seek more affordable real estate prices and more living space, the demand for housing increased. At the same time, interest rates remained near historic lows. The Indiana housing market heated up in the months following the pandemic, with Indiana home prices increasing in the double digits in the year-over-year comparison. However, the Indiana housing market is showing signs of cooling down as mortgage rates have doubled since March 2022, following the Federal Bank’s announcement to use interest rate hikes as their primary means to fight back against galloping inflation.

According to data collected in October 2022, the latest available at the time of writing, the median Indiana sale price has reached $237,900, showing a 9.3% increase compared to its October 2021 level but a step down from double-digit growth observed in the months prior

Climate

Winters tend to be cool, while the summers are hot and of a humid continental climate. Summer temperatures average at around 87 degrees Fahrenheit during the day, while winter daytime temperatures are approximately 35 degrees Fahrenheit. The entire state gets snowfall in winter and a lot of rainfall during spring, summer and fall, with the south receiving slightly more precipitation than the rest of Indiana.

Though Indiana is not officially in Tornado Alley, the state does get a lot of tornadoes, specifically in the South Bend area. Remember to check your car and home insurance policies to see if you have the right kind of coverage.

Education

Indiana has a history of dedication to public education, and has some top-notch public schools, as well as excellent private schools and colleges. Current school rankings (elementary, middle and high schools), campus and district zoning/location maps, information and reviews are available online for parents moving to Indiana.

• Elementary: Centerton Elementary School in Martinsville, Merle Sidener Gifted Academy in Indianapolis, and Haubstadt Community School in Haubstadt are the top three elementary schools.
• High School: Three of the top-ranked high schools are Signature School, Inc. in Evansville, West Lafayette Junior/Senior High School in West Lafayette, and Carmel High School in Carmel.
• Higher Education: Students can attend some excellent institutions of higher education after moving to Indiana, including Indiana University, Purdue University and the University of Notre Dame.

Government

If you have questions about moving to Indiana, you can find lots of helpful information about living and working in the Hoosier State at Indiana’s official state website.

• Indiana levies an excise tax (or state tax) of 7%.
• There is one toll road: the Indiana East-West Toll Road, which is usually referred to as the I-90 Indiana Toll Road. You can find more information about toll rates and the route at the Indiana Toll Road website.
• After moving to Indiana, you can register to vote online with the Statewide Voter Registration System. You can also mail in a voter registration form or register in person at your local county clerk’s office or Bureau of Motor Vehicles branch. Your voter registration form must be received 29 days before the election takes place.
• Contact your city to find out if trash and recycling are handled by the municipality or by a private company.
• You must apply for an Indiana driver’s license at your local Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) within 60 days of moving to Indiana.
• You are required to register your vehicle within 60 days of becoming a resident.