Buffalo, NY 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.
Buffalo
74.2
#613 nationally
Carmel
74.5
#579 nationally
Carmel leads in median household income ($121,400 vs $42,891). Buffalo leads in walk score (66 vs 28). Carmel leads in school rating (9 vs 4.6).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Carmel, IN |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 74.2 (#613) | 74.5 (#579) |
| Population | 276,807 | 104,776 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $249,040 | $580,014 |
| Median Household Income | $42,891 | $121,400 |
| Average Commute | 22.4 min | 23.5 min |
| Walk Score | 66 | 28 |
| Crime Level | Moderate-High | Very Low |
| School Rating | 4.6 | 9 |
| Cost of Living Index | 88 | 108 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+9.7 | R+6.1 |
C
74.2 Score
Buffalo, NY
Queen City rising
Median Home
$249,040
Population
276,807
Crime
Moderate-High
Schools
C
Northeast
View Buffalo, NY →
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 →