Aurora, IL vs Carmel, IN
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.
Aurora
73.2
#764 nationally
Carmel
74.5
#579 nationally
Aurora leads in walk score (40 vs 28). Carmel leads in median household income ($121,400 vs $85,943). Carmel leads in average commute (23.5 min vs 28.6 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Carmel, IN |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 73.2 (#764) | 74.5 (#579) |
| Population | 177,563 | 104,776 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $326,890 | $580,014 |
| Median Household Income | $85,943 | $121,400 |
| Average Commute | 28.6 min | 23.5 min |
| Walk Score | 40 | 28 |
| Crime Level | 7.3 | Very Low |
| School Rating | N/A | 9 |
| Cost of Living Index | 105 | 108 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+13.3 | R+6.1 |
C
73.2 Score
Aurora, IL
Mid-size Illinois city with community character
Median Home
$326,890
Population
177,563
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
40
Midwest
View Aurora, IL →
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 →