Carmel, IN vs Costa Mesa, CA
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
Costa Mesa
60.6
#1929 nationally
Costa Mesa leads in walk score (65 vs 28). Carmel leads in cost of living index (108 vs 197). Carmel leads in median household income ($121,400 vs $104,981).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Costa Mesa, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 74.5 (#579) | 60.6 (#1929) |
| Population | 104,776 | 108,354 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $580,014 | $1,424,322 |
| Median Household Income | $121,400 | $104,981 |
| Average Commute | 23.5 min | 21.9 min |
| Walk Score | 28 | 65 |
| Crime Level | Very Low | 20.2 |
| School Rating | 9 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 108 | 197 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+6.1 | D+2.6 |
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 →
D-
60.6 Score
Costa Mesa, CA
Mid-size California city with community character
Median Home
$1,424,322
Population
108,354
Crime
High
Walk Score
65
Pacific
View Costa Mesa, CA →
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