Carmel, IN vs Cedar Falls, IA
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.
Carmel
74.5
#579 nationally
Cedar Falls
79.7
#107 nationally
Carmel leads in median household income ($121,400 vs $71,011). Cedar Falls leads in average commute (15.3 min vs 23.5 min). Cedar Falls leads in walk score (38 vs 28).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Cedar Falls, IA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 74.5 (#579) | 79.7 (#107) |
| Population | 104,776 | 40,737 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $580,014 | $271,320 |
| Median Household Income | $121,400 | $71,011 |
| Average Commute | 23.5 min | 15.3 min |
| Walk Score | 28 | 38 |
| Crime Level | Very Low | 4.3 |
| School Rating | 9 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 108 | 100 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+6.1 | D+1.2 |
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 →
C+
79.7 Score
Cedar Falls, IA
Small Iowa city with local appeal
Median Home
$271,320
Population
40,737
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
38
Midwest
View Cedar Falls, IA →
Try a different matchup
Swap Carmel for: