Carmel, IN vs Des Plaines, IL
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
Des Plaines
76.4
#348 nationally
Des Plaines leads in walk score (57 vs 28). Carmel leads in median household income ($121,400 vs $86,552). Carmel leads in average commute (23.5 min vs 29.9 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Des Plaines, IL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 74.5 (#579) | 76.4 (#348) |
| Population | 104,776 | 58,010 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $580,014 | $360,725 |
| Median Household Income | $121,400 | $86,552 |
| Average Commute | 23.5 min | 29.9 min |
| Walk Score | 28 | 57 |
| Crime Level | Very Low | 3.3 |
| School Rating | 9 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 108 | 112 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+6.1 | D+42.0 |
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
76.4 Score
Des Plaines, IL
Illinois community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$360,725
Population
58,010
Crime
Low
Walk Score
57
Midwest
View Des Plaines, IL →
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