Carmel, IN vs Fairfield, CA
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
Fairfield
62.9
#1812 nationally
Carmel leads in cost of living index (108 vs 151). Carmel leads in average commute (23.5 min vs 32.3 min). Fairfield leads in walk score (37 vs 28).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Fairfield, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 74.5 (#579) | 62.9 (#1812) |
| Population | 104,776 | 120,768 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $580,014 | $605,863 |
| Median Household Income | $121,400 | $98,857 |
| Average Commute | 23.5 min | 32.3 min |
| Walk Score | 28 | 37 |
| Crime Level | Very Low | 13.6 |
| School Rating | 9 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 108 | 151 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+6.1 | D+23.0 |
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-
62.9 Score
Fairfield, CA
Mid-size California city with community character
Median Home
$605,863
Population
120,768
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
37
Pacific
View Fairfield, CA →