Carmel, IN vs Merced, 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
Merced
64.3
#1702 nationally
Carmel leads in median household income ($121,400 vs $59,233). Merced leads in walk score (42 vs 28). Carmel leads in average commute (23.5 min vs 27 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Merced, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 74.5 (#579) | 64.3 (#1702) |
| Population | 104,776 | 93,692 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $580,014 | $397,570 |
| Median Household Income | $121,400 | $59,233 |
| Average Commute | 23.5 min | 27 min |
| Walk Score | 28 | 42 |
| Crime Level | Very Low | 21.5 |
| School Rating | 9 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 108 | 121 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+6.1 | R+4.4 |
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
64.3 Score
Merced, CA
California community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$397,570
Population
93,692
Crime
High
Walk Score
42
Pacific
View Merced, CA →