Carmel, IN vs Ridgewood, NJ
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
Ridgewood
68
#1362 nationally
Ridgewood leads in median household income ($211,224 vs $121,400). Carmel leads in cost of living index (108 vs 181). Carmel leads in average commute (23.5 min vs 36.3 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Ridgewood, NJ |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 74.5 (#579) | 68 (#1362) |
| Population | 104,776 | 26,194 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $580,014 | $1,273,036 |
| Median Household Income | $121,400 | $211,224 |
| Average Commute | 23.5 min | 36.3 min |
| Walk Score | 28 | 42 |
| Crime Level | Very Low | 1.2 |
| School Rating | 9 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 108 | 181 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+6.1 | D+3.4 |
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+
68 Score
Ridgewood, NJ
Small New Jersey city with local appeal
Median Home
$1,273,036
Population
26,194
Crime
Very Low
Walk Score
42
Northeast
View Ridgewood, NJ →