UPDATE: Check out our new 2023 Best Cities to Live in the U.S. list.
#42. Carmel
Carmel always takes us by surprise because you’d never expect one of the least affordable cities on this list to be in Indiana – but it is. The Indianapolis suburb is booming, in the top 10 for jobs, growth in high wage jobs, the number of creative class workers, and safety; and in the top 5 for culture and arts. We’ve named Carmel a Top 10 Best City for Families twice, meaning it may not be the best place for millennial entrepreneurs – unless you’re on the older end of the generation and ready to settle down. The housing price tag also reflects this more established area, as the median home price is $297,000.