Carmel, IN vs Irvine, 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
Irvine
67.2
#1452 nationally
Carmel leads in cost of living index (108 vs 178). Irvine leads in walk score (44 vs 28). Carmel leads in average commute (23.5 min vs 25.8 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Irvine, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 74.5 (#579) | 67.2 (#1452) |
| Population | 104,776 | 307,670 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $580,014 | $1,517,431 |
| Median Household Income | $121,400 | $116,519 |
| Average Commute | 23.5 min | 25.8 min |
| Walk Score | 28 | 44 |
| Crime Level | Very Low | Very Low |
| School Rating | 9 | 9.5 |
| Cost of Living Index | 108 | 178 |
| 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+
67.2 Score
Irvine, CA
Master-planned perfection in Southern California
Median Home
$1,517,431
Population
307,670
Crime
Very Low
Schools
A+
Pacific
View Irvine, CA →