Carmel, IN vs Phoenix, AZ
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
Phoenix
66.7
#1514 nationally
Carmel leads in median household income ($121,400 vs $65,891). Carmel leads in school rating (9 vs 5.8). Phoenix leads in walk score (41 vs 28).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Phoenix, AZ |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 74.5 (#579) | 66.7 (#1514) |
| Population | 104,776 | 1,650,070 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $580,014 | $408,770 |
| Median Household Income | $121,400 | $65,891 |
| Average Commute | 23.5 min | 26.7 min |
| Walk Score | 28 | 41 |
| Crime Level | Very Low | Moderate-High |
| School Rating | 9 | 5.8 |
| Cost of Living Index | 108 | 106 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+6.1 | R+3.5 |
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
66.7 Score
Phoenix, AZ
Valley of the Sun with explosive growth
Median Home
$408,770
Population
1,650,070
Crime
Moderate-High
Schools
C+
Southwest
View Phoenix, AZ →