Real Estate Investing in Indianapolis, Indiana (46204)

Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.

Marion County • Population: 11,022 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 46204 (Indianapolis, IN)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (45/100)

Proceed carefully. Weak appreciation or affordability makes this a harder case for most buyers.

📈 For Investors
WEAK
2.0 / 5 (33/100)

Structural challenges here. The numbers may look cheap but operational risk is high. Only for experienced, hands-on investors.

⚠️ Risks to Know
2 flags
  • Declining values: -1.0% 5-year CAGR — values have moved lower.
  • Elevated vacancy: 10.3% vacancy may signal weakening demand.

What’s happening in Indianapolis, IN (46204)?

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2.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

1.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $350,303
Avg Monthly Rent $1,658
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $84,735
% Renters 80.5%

Market Analysis: 46204 Indianapolis

This part of Marion County is not an easy win. The 46204 ZIP stands at softness in key indicators, and the playbook that works in cleaner markets often stalls here.

For an experienced owner, 46204 can be a worth a close look for hunting ground — but the discount at $350K reflects genuine risk that outside investors often underestimate.

The gap between 46204 and stronger Indianapolis ZIPs is not closing quickly. Investors should weight long-horizon assumptions accordingly.

The demographic picture in 46204 includes headwinds that any investor should price in. Income distribution skews lower than Indianapolis averages, and tenant stability requires active management.

Strategy in 46204 is an operator game, not a passive one. On the rental side, entry prices of $350K are inviting, the management lift is real and non-optional.

Explore the Data — Click a Tab Below
🏦 Current 30-yr Fixed Mortgage Rate: 6.76% as of Sep 10 Source: Freddie Mac PMMS

Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Indianapolis:

C Below Average
Buy Confidence Score: 56/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
5/25
Stability
11/20
Timing
10/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 4.1× the median income
Value Trend
Stable (+2.2%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,658/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
COOL
More inventory, negotiating room for buyers
Bottom Line: This market may be challenging for buyers. Consider your timing and budget carefully.
❄️
COOL MARKET
Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson, IN Metro Area
More inventory, negotiating room for buyers
40 days
Average time to sell
Average
13.3%
Listings with price cuts
Few Cuts
0.0%
Sale price vs asking
Below Ask
0.0%
Income needed for mortgage
Affordable
📅 Market conditions as of August 29, 2026 — updated weekly from Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson, IN metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 46204

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
1BR
6.4% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
1BR
+3.1% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
2BR
$187,675/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
1BR $211,421 $1,870 6.4% +3.1% $211,421
2BR $375,350 $2,170 4.2% +0.7% $187,675
3BR $597,834 $2,810 3.4% +1.1% $199,278

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$387K$349K$310K$271K$232K$193KJun 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$1,685$1,611$1,536$1,461$1,386$1,311Nov 2019Mar 2023Jul 2026

📊 How Does 46204 Compare?

Metric 46204 Indianapolis Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson, IN Indiana
Home Value $350,303 $240,648 N/A $248,442
5-Year CAGR N/A 4.1% N/A 7.7%
Avg Rent $1,658 $1,509 N/A -
Cap Rate 3.7% 5.0% - -
💡 Why Invest in 46204? Click to expand

81% of households rent in this area, creating consistent tenant demand for landlords.

📊 See where this ZIP ranks in our Best-of lists →
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 46204 (Indianapolis, IN). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Property managers serving Marion County

Manage rentals here? List your business →

Atlas Property Services, LLC offers quality home rentals and property management services in Indianapolis and Muncie, including single-family homes and duplexes. summary from their website

Single-familySmall multifamily
Unclaimed — is this your business? Claim it free

Orion Property Management offers real estate and property management services for residential and commercial properties, including leasing, collections, maintenance, and city compliance. summary from their website

Single-familyCommercial
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Red Door Property Management offers property management services in Indianapolis, including marketing, tenant screening, maintenance, leasing, eviction protection, and Airbnb management. summary from their website

Short-term rentals
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Listings are shown for convenience — Repit doesn’t endorse or vet these companies. Ratings shown come only from email-verified visitors.

Investability
Fair
Cap Rate
3.7%
Low
5yr Growth
-1.0%
Declining

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $350,303
Monthly Rent $1,658
Price-to-Rent 17.6:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 5.7%
Cap Rate 3.7%
5-Year IRR 2.7%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +2.2% ▲
3-Year CAGR +0.6% ▲
5-Year CAGR -1.0% ▼
10-Year CAGR +3.1% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year +2.0% ▲
3-Year CAGR +0.8% ▲
5-Year CAGR +2.6% ▲
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.7%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.7%). Financing reduces your cash-on-cash return below the cap rate. Markets like this may still make sense as IRR plays — factoring in appreciation, depreciation, and a future refinance when rates drop.

Run an IRR Analysis →

⚠️ Risk Signals

Composite view of factors that can impact a ZIP's stability and your downside risk.

Vacancy
10.3%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
-1.0%
Flat
Eviction process: Moderate Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 46204

Population: 11,022

💰 Median Household Income
$84,735
This area
$84,735
State
$69,164
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
80.5%
This area
80.5%
State
22.2%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.4%
This area
2.4%
State
-23.5%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
61.5%
This area
61.5%
State
-6.4%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
31.8 years
This area
31.8 years
State
-0.2 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
10.3%
This area
10.3%
State
10.7%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 67.6%
Black/African American 20.2%
Other/Mixed 7.8%
Hispanic/Latino 5.2%
Asian 4.5%
👶 Under 18
1.5%
This area
1.5%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
6.5%
This area
6.5%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
4.7%
This area
4.7%
USA
11.5%

Crime & Safety

🚧

Crime & Safety Data Coming Soon

We're integrating comprehensive crime statistics including violent crime rates, property crime, and safety scores to help you make informed investment decisions.

Expected: Q1 2025

🎓 Schools in 46204

B Avg School Grade
2 Schools
14.2:1 Avg Class Size
$26,790 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Arlington Community Middle School

📚 07 – 08 Middle
👥
270 Students
👨‍🏫
14.2:1 Class Size
💰
$26,790 Per Student
C Below Average

Dept of Correction Adult Schools

📚 07 – 12 High School Limited Data

Nearby Schools (5 more)

Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area

A+ Excellent

H L Harshman Middle School

📚 07 – 08 Middle
📍 1501 E 10th St, Indianapolis
👥
272 Students
👨‍🏫
7.7:1 Class Size
💰
$26,790 Per Student
A+ Excellent

James A Garfield School 31

📚 Pre-K – 08 School
📍 307 Lincoln St, Indianapolis
👥
247 Students
👨‍🏫
11.5:1 Class Size
💰
$26,790 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Ralph Waldo Emerson School 58

📚 Pre-K – 06 School
📍 321 N Linwood Ave, Indianapolis
👥
262 Students
👨‍🏫
10.3:1 Class Size
💰
$26,790 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Theodore Potter School 74

📚 K – 06 School
📍 1601 E 10th St, Indianapolis
👥
251 Students
👨‍🏫
10.0:1 Class Size
💰
$26,790 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Brookside School 54

📚 Pre-K – 06 School
📍 3150 E 10th St, Indianapolis
👥
415 Students
👨‍🏫
13.8:1 Class Size
💰
$26,790 Per Student
About Repit School Scores

Traditional school ratings rely heavily on standardized test scores, which often reflect family income more than school quality. Repit takes a different approach.

We evaluate schools based on factors that research shows actually impact educational outcomes:

  • Class Size — Smaller classes mean more individual attention
  • School Funding — Resources available for programs, staff, and facilities
  • Community Factors — Neighborhood characteristics that influence student success
  • School Environment — Size, type, and structure

Scores are updated annually using federal education data.

🎓 Nearby Colleges & Universities

8 Nearby 47,422 Off-Campus Students
C
American College of Education
11,961 students · 0.2 mi
B
Indiana University-Indianapolis
25,497 students · 0.8 mi
C
Ivy Tech Community College
100,077 students · 2.2 mi
D
Kenny's Academy of Barbering
147 students · 3.2 mi
C
Martin University
223 students · 3.4 mi
C
Marian University
3,586 students · 3.8 mi
D
Christian Theological Seminary
144 students · 4.4 mi
C+
University of Indianapolis
5,447 students · 4.4 mi

Investor Insight: With 47,422 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Indianapolis, IN favor landlords or tenants?

IN ranks as a landlord-friendly state for landlord-tenant law. Indianapolis generally follows the statewide framework, so landlords face reasonable operating rules.

How strong is tenant demand in Indianapolis, IN?

Tenant demand in Indianapolis, IN is solid. The local workforce $1,658/mo rents across most rental classes.

How much should I expect to pay for a home in Indianapolis, IN?

Median home price in Indianapolis, IN is near $350K, with a 5-year CAGR of 0.0%. Prices have been predictable and supportive of buy-and-hold strategies.

Which investment style suits Indianapolis, IN?

Indianapolis, IN investors pursuing careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The underlying economics ($350K prices, $1,658/mo rents) make it a reasonable choice.

How viable is house hacking in Indianapolis, IN?

House hacking works a challenging in Indianapolis, IN. Rents of $1,658/mo against $350K acquisition make the strategy solid for owner-occupants.

You know 46204 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 46204 ranks in Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson, IN

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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