Key stat: Fully 85.9 percent of houses here are affordable to those earning the city's median income

This index from Wells Fargo Bank and the National Association of Home Builders compares housing prices with income to judge affordability.

Not only are houses inexpensive in Indianapolis, but wages and salaries are fairly high, an unbeatable combination. In no big city could more residents earning the median household income afford a greater percentage of all houses bought and sold during the three months ended September 30.