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Talk to a Specialist →The Headline Numbers
| Effective Property Tax Rate | ~1.19% |
| County Income Tax | 2.02% (highest in metro) |
| Combined Income Tax (state + county) | 5.02% |
| Indiana Homestead Deduction | Lesser of 60% AV or $48,000 + 37.5% supplemental |
| Over-65 Credit (2026) | $150 flat credit |
| Over-65 Circuit Breaker | Caps increases at 2%/yr if AGI ≤ $60K single / $70K joint |
Property Tax Worked Example
On a $300,000 home in Marion County with full homestead deduction:
| Gross Assessed Value | $300,000 |
| Less: Standard Homestead Deduction | ($48,000) |
| Less: Supplemental Homestead (37.5% on $252K) | ($94,500) |
| Net Assessed Value | $157,500 |
| Effective tax at 1.19% | ~$1,875/year |
The Case For Marion County Anyway
Marion County 55+ communities offer two real value propositions despite the tax burden: (1) significantly lower entry prices than Hamilton County for equivalent square footage, and (2) closer proximity to downtown Indianapolis cultural assets — museums, the Cultural Trail, IU Health Methodist, sports venues, and Indianapolis International Airport.
For retirees who want to live in the city rather than the suburbs — and who value walkability to downtown amenities over walkability to Carmel's Arts District — Marion County is the only option that delivers that.
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The Township Variation
Within Marion County, township boundaries affect school tax rates and certain service fees. Decatur, Franklin, and Pike townships generally show slightly different effective rates than Center or Washington townships. For a specific property, verify the exact rate with the Marion County Assessor's parcel lookup before treating "1.19%" as your specific number.
Communities in Marion County
- Village at New Bethel (gated, ~500 homes, Franklin Township)
- Enclave at Lyster Lane (new construction ~$345K)
- White Oak Farms (resale-only ~$285K)
- Bentley Commons (Franklin Township attached homes $130K–$250K — the metro's lowest 55+ entry price)
Run Marion County Math With An Agent
Marion County works for specific buyers (downtown-oriented retirees, budget-conscious entries). We can connect you with an agent who can identify whether it fits your situation.
Request Agent IntroductionRelated Research
Hamilton County Tax Guide · Indiana Income Tax Guide · Three-County Comparison · Bentley Commons (lowest entry)