The Investor's Guide to
Indy's Best Airbnb Markets
First time visiting Indianapolis and considering a short-term rental investment? Here's where to look — and what to look for — neighborhood by neighborhood.
Indianapolis is a seriously underrated Airbnb market. Between a packed sports and events calendar, a growing food and arts scene, and neighborhoods with genuine character, Indy consistently surprises first-time visitors.
Below is my neighborhood-by-neighborhood breakdown for investors scouting Indy for the first time. These are the areas I'd tell a friend to pay attention to.
Neighborhoods Worth Your Attention
Click any neighborhood to explore investor highlights
🎨 Artsy · Walkable · Up-and-Coming
Fountain Square
One of Indianapolis's most vibrant and eclectic neighborhoods. Fountain Square draws visitors with its independent restaurants, live music, vintage shops, and a genuine local energy that's hard to fake. Properties here consistently attract guests who want an authentic Indianapolis experience.
Stop in at Bovantica Coffee — a local gem that perfectly captures the neighborhood's creative spirit. It's the kind of place your Airbnb guests will love discovering.
Visit Bovantica Coffee
🏡 Transitional · Affordable Entry · High Upside
Bates-Hendricks
Just south of Fountain Square, Bates-Hendricks is one of Indianapolis's most actively improving neighborhoods. It's earlier in its cycle than Fountain Square, which means lower acquisition costs and strong upside potential as the area continues to gentrify. Savvy investors are paying attention.
🌿 Charming · Historic · Intimate
Holy Cross / Cottage Home
These two adjacent near-eastside neighborhoods are among Indy's best-kept secrets. Small, historic cottages and bungalows give the area a distinctly charming feel. Guests who book here tend to be discerning travelers who appreciate authenticity over chain hotels. The intimate scale of the neighborhood creates a highly bookable, 'hidden gem' vibe.
🌳 Established · Family-Friendly · Consistently Strong
Meridian-Kessler
Meridian-Kessler is one of Indianapolis's most desirable and stable neighborhoods. Tree-lined streets, gorgeous architecture, and proximity to Broad Ripple and the Monon Trail make it a perennial favorite. Airbnb demand here is steady and reliable — it's the kind of neighborhood that performs even in slow seasons.
🎶 Lively · Entertainment Hub · High Traffic
Broad Ripple
Broad Ripple Village is Indianapolis's entertainment neighborhood — packed with bars, restaurants, boutiques, and the beloved Monon Trail. It draws a steady stream of visitors for events, nightlife, and the casual village atmosphere. Properties here benefit from both weekend leisure demand and proximity to the broader north side.
💎 Hidden Gem · Underpriced · Strategic Location
Home Place (Just South of Carmel)
Tucked just south of Carmel — one of the most affluent suburbs in the country — Home Place is an often-overlooked market that punches above its weight. You get close proximity to Carmel's amenities, restaurants, and corporate campuses at a fraction of the price. It's an interesting arbitrage play for Airbnb investors who want Carmel-adjacent demand without Carmel prices.
⚽ Sports Tourism · Event-Driven · Explosive Demand
Westfield & Grand Park
Grand Park Sports Campus in Westfield is one of the largest youth sports campuses in the country — spanning 400 acres and hosting hundreds of tournaments every year. Families and teams travel from across the Midwest and beyond, and hotel inventory regularly runs out. A well-positioned Airbnb near Grand Park can achieve exceptional occupancy during event weekends.
💡 If you can find a deal that makes sense here, demand is high and consistent. Grand Park drives travel traffic throughout the entire year.
Austin's Take
Indianapolis doesn't get the national hype of Nashville or Austin, TX — and that's actually an advantage. You can still find deals in neighborhoods with real short-term rental demand before prices fully reflect the opportunity.
The markets I'm most bullish on right now: Grand Park / Westfield for event-driven demand, Fountain Square for lifestyle and character, and Meridian-Kessler for reliable, year-round performance.