Carmel, IN vs San Marcos, TX
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
San Marcos
70.5
#1100 nationally
Carmel leads in median household income ($121,400 vs $47,394). San Marcos leads in walk score (39 vs 28). San Marcos leads in cost of living index (100 vs 108).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Carmel, IN | San Marcos, TX |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 74.5 (#579) | 70.5 (#1100) |
| Population | 104,776 | 71,569 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $580,014 | $310,480 |
| Median Household Income | $121,400 | $47,394 |
| Average Commute | 23.5 min | 23.7 min |
| Walk Score | 28 | 39 |
| Crime Level | Very Low | 9.8 |
| School Rating | 9 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 108 | 100 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+6.1 | D+5.6 |
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-
70.5 Score
San Marcos, TX
Texas community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$310,480
Population
71,569
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
39
Southwest
View San Marcos, TX →