Benicia, CA vs Carmel, IN
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Benicia
66.9
#1481 nationally
Carmel
74.5
#579 nationally
Carmel leads in cost of living index (108 vs 168). Carmel leads in average commute (23.5 min vs 33.5 min). Benicia leads in walk score (34 vs 28).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Benicia, CA | Carmel, IN |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 66.9 (#1481) | 74.5 (#579) |
| Population | 26,429 | 104,776 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $784,805 | $580,014 |
| Median Household Income | $124,375 | $121,400 |
| Average Commute | 33.5 min | 23.5 min |
| Walk Score | 34 | 28 |
| Crime Level | 3.7 | Very Low |
| School Rating | N/A | 9 |
| Cost of Living Index | 168 | 108 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+23.0 | R+6.1 |
D
66.9 Score
Benicia, CA
Small California city with local appeal
Median Home
$784,805
Population
26,429
Crime
Low
Walk Score
34
Pacific
View Benicia, CA →
C
74.5 Score
Carmel, IN
Award-winning city planning meets Midwestern charm
Median Home
$580,014
Population
104,776
Crime
Very Low
Schools
A
Midwest
View Carmel, IN →