Carmel, IN vs Plainfield, 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
Plainfield
74.9
#535 nationally
Carmel leads in average commute (23.5 min vs 33.9 min). Carmel leads in walk score (28 vs 20). Plainfield leads in median household income ($143,064 vs $121,400).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Plainfield, IL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 74.5 (#579) | 74.9 (#535) |
| Population | 104,776 | 47,448 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $580,014 | $432,279 |
| Median Household Income | $121,400 | $143,064 |
| Average Commute | 23.5 min | 33.9 min |
| Walk Score | 28 | 20 |
| Crime Level | Very Low | 1.6 |
| School Rating | 9 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 108 | 124 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+6.1 | D+1.6 |
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 →
C
74.9 Score
Plainfield, IL
Small Illinois city with local appeal
Median Home
$432,279
Population
47,448
Crime
Low
Walk Score
20
Midwest
View Plainfield, IL →
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