A monthly rent of $2,000 can get you a 1,333-square-foot apartment in the Indianapolis metro.

Why it matters: That's 230 square feet bigger than the national estimate of 1,103, and one of the best cost-to-rental space ratios in the U.S., per a new Redfin report.

The big picture: Across the country, renters working with a $2,000 per month budget can afford 70 more square feet than they could in 2022, when nationwide rents peaked — enough for a small office.

• Brand-new apartments flooded the market over the past few years, helping to slow rent hikes.

Zoom in: The Indianapolis apartment market was one of the most improved of 2024, joining Greensboro, North Carolina, and Jacksonville, Florida, as the only markets to see 150 basis points of occupancy improvement, per a RealPage analysis.

Zoom out: Indianapolis ranks No. 7 in the U.S. for the space you get for $2,000.

• Memphis, Tennessee; Birmingham, Alabama; and Louisville, Kentucky, are the top three, with average square footage of 1,570, 1,523 and 1,479, respectively.
• San Jose, California (537 square feet), San Francisco (537) and New York (581) are the worst.

Yes, but: Rent prices in the Circle City continue to put financial strain on low and middle-income residents.

• Census data finds that nearly a quarter of renters in the Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood metro spend more than half of their household income on housing.

Between the lines: Households are considered cost-burdened when they spend more than 30% of their income on housing costs, while those spending more than 50% of their income on housing costs are considered severely cost-burdened.

State of play: As of December, the median rent price was $1,217 in Indianapolis, $1,998 in Carmel, $1,625 in Greenwood and $1,592 nationwide.

What we're watching

If you are renting, you likely have fewer options due to landlord-imposed limitations when it comes to renovating your place.

Yes, but: That doesn't mean there aren't ways for you to make improvements to help bring out your style and design a space that feels like home.

The latest: We've rounded up a few of our favorite budget-friendly DIY upgrades for your rental that won't leave you stressed out about your security deposit.

Use peel-and-stick

Peel-and-stick wallpaper, tiles, countertops — you name it. This stuff is great due to its easy installation that doesn't require much effort but makes a big difference bringing new life into a space.

• Use them to create an accent wall, a backsplash in the kitchen, tiled flooring in the bathroom or a new countertop.

Swap out hardware

Whether you're swapping out bathroom or drawer pulls, handles or replacing the knobs on your kitchen cabinets, these small decor changes are an inexpensive way to elevate your space.

More tips and tricks

Sen. Jim Banks sees himself as part of the "new right" that's transforming Congress, and Vice President Vance as the party's future.

• "He's got four years to learn from the best president that we've had in modern times. And he'll be ready to go," Banks told Axios.

Why it matters: Banks doesn't tiptoe around Trump. He's been solidly in line on tariffs, using the military to address immigration and backing Pete Hegseth, whose confirmation drama Banks described as "disappointing."

• Banks, 45, has currency with Trump's orbit and deep experience from his House tenure.
• "I'm younger than most senators," Banks said. "I want to be a leader in the new Republican Party and paving the way forward beyond — even beyond President Trump."

What he's saying: Banks said he has long believed in marrying "the party of Reagan with the party of Trump, traditional conservatism with populism."

• "The old-school Republican Party has quickly faded away," Banks said.

Zoom in: Banks, who voted for the 2017 Trump tax cuts as a House lawmaker, thinks it was a "big mistake" to "overemphasize corporate tax rates over tax cuts on families and small businesses."

• He wants Republicans to put more focus this time on helping working-class Americans.

Now in the Senate, Banks has already introduced four pieces of legislation.

• Two are border and immigration-related. One would ensure qualified immunity for police, and another designates fentanyl as a chemical and biological weapon that can be used to sanction Chinese officials.

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🗳️ Legislation that could cut early in-person voting from a month to two weeks is moving to the Indiana Senate floor. (Indiana Capital Chronicle)

📱 Elon Musk called Sen. Todd Young a "deep state puppet" in a now deleted X post over reports that Young would not support the nomination of Tulsi Gabbard as director of national intelligence. (FOX59)

🏫 The IPS board is asking the public to oppose bills it says are threatening the district, including legislation that proposes dissolving the district and converting all of its schools into charters. (IndyStar)

👋 The YMCA at the Athenaeum on Mass Ave will close on March 28. (WFYI)

🐶 The Indianapolis Fire Department rescued a dog that got stuck in a frozen pond on the east side Sunday. (CBS4)

With the Raw after the Royal Rumble wrapped and the road to WrestleMania paved, Indy's significant role in WWE's most important annual arc is over.

Why it matters: Royal Rumble weekend broke records, with an expected economic impact of more than $40 million.

Zoom in: Here's a look at WWE's visit to the Circle City.

More photos from the weekend