Carmel, IN vs Rockford, 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
Rockford
74.8
#554 nationally
Carmel leads in median household income ($121,400 vs $50,744). Rockford leads in walk score (41 vs 28). Rockford leads in cost of living index (87 vs 108).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Rockford, IL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 74.5 (#579) | 74.8 (#554) |
| Population | 104,776 | 146,120 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $580,014 | $186,815 |
| Median Household Income | $121,400 | $50,744 |
| Average Commute | 23.5 min | 21.4 min |
| Walk Score | 28 | 41 |
| Crime Level | Very Low | 29.6 |
| School Rating | 9 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 108 | 87 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+6.1 | D+0.6 |
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
74.8 Score
Rockford, IL
Mid-size Illinois city with community character
Median Home
$186,815
Population
146,120
Crime
Very High
Walk Score
41
Midwest
View Rockford, IL →