Central Indiana Residents Remain Broadly Satisfied with Quality of Life, Though Satisfaction Has Declined Since 2022
INDIANAPOLIS — A new survey of 1,500 Central Indiana residents, conducted by MIBOR REALTOR® Association and the Indianapolis Metropolitan Planning Organization (IMPO), finds that most adults remain satisfied with the quality of life in their communities; however, both overall satisfaction and the intensity of that satisfaction have declined significantly since 2022.
According to the 2026 Central Indiana Community Preference Survey, 77% of residents report being very or somewhat satisfied with their community’s quality of life, a drop of 9 percentage points from 86% in 2022. Even more notable is the decrease in those who feel very satisfied: just 31% report strong satisfaction today, down 16 points from the previous survey.
At the same time, dissatisfaction is on the rise. The share of residents who are somewhat or very dissatisfied has grown from 13% to 23%, nearly doubling the proportion of adults who now feel their quality of life is falling short.
“These findings make it clear that while Central Indiana continues to offer strong community assets, people are feeling a meaningful shift in their overall experience compared to just a few years ago,” the report notes. Amidst seeing an overall decline in satisfaction, responses showed a rebound in satisfaction with trails and parks.
The results reflect responses gathered March 23–29, 2026, through a multimodal survey conducted online and by phone among adults across MIBOR’s service counties.
The full survey report, including detailed results and analysis, will be released on August 12.
About MIBOR REALTOR® Association
Founded in 1912, MIBOR REALTOR® Association (MIBOR) serves more than 10,000 REALTORS® and real estate professionals throughout central Indiana. As a trusted resource for housing market insights, professional standards, and real estate expertise, MIBOR supports an efficient marketplace through education, technology, and collaboration while helping to strengthen communities and advance the dream of homeownership.
Media Contacts:
MIBOR REALTOR® Association
Paula Scheller
paulascheller@mibor.com
317-956-5246
ABOUT IMPO:
The Indianapolis Metropolitan Planning Organization (IMPO) is Central Indiana’s federally designated regional planning organization. The IMPO develops short- and long-range plans to support local governments and advance the region’s goals in transportation, economic development, housing, safety, sustainability, and quality of life. The IMPO distributes federal transportation funding to local agencies for infrastructure projects that move people and goods throughout Central Indiana.
Media Contacts:
Indianapolis Metropolitan Planning Organization
Danielle Frey
317-327-3574