Carmel, IN vs Folsom, 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
Folsom
67.8
#1378 nationally
Carmel leads in cost of living index (108 vs 165). Folsom leads in median household income ($134,935 vs $121,400). Carmel leads in average commute (23.5 min vs 26.1 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Folsom, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 74.5 (#579) | 67.8 (#1378) |
| Population | 104,776 | 84,782 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $580,014 | $763,818 |
| Median Household Income | $121,400 | $134,935 |
| Average Commute | 23.5 min | 26.1 min |
| Walk Score | 28 | 31 |
| Crime Level | Very Low | 5.0 |
| School Rating | 9 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 108 | 165 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+6.1 | D+19.7 |
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 →
D+
67.8 Score
Folsom, CA
California community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$763,818
Population
84,782
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
31
Pacific
View Folsom, CA →