Carmel, IN vs East Lansing, MI
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
East Lansing
72.8
#823 nationally
Carmel leads in median household income ($121,400 vs $44,094). East Lansing leads in walk score (54 vs 28). East Lansing leads in average commute (16.1 min vs 23.5 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Carmel, IN | East Lansing, MI |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 74.5 (#579) | 72.8 (#823) |
| Population | 104,776 | 48,528 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $580,014 | $328,740 |
| Median Household Income | $121,400 | $44,094 |
| Average Commute | 23.5 min | 16.1 min |
| Walk Score | 28 | 54 |
| Crime Level | Very Low | 6.0 |
| 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+29.7 |
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-
72.8 Score
East Lansing, MI
Small Michigan city with local appeal
Median Home
$328,740
Population
48,528
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
54
Midwest
View East Lansing, MI →
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