Carmel, IN vs Palm Desert, 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
Palm Desert
66
#1595 nationally
Carmel leads in median household income ($121,400 vs $75,691). Carmel leads in cost of living index (108 vs 136). Palm Desert leads in average commute (22.4 min vs 23.5 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Palm Desert, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 74.5 (#579) | 66 (#1595) |
| Population | 104,776 | 51,951 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $580,014 | $544,379 |
| Median Household Income | $121,400 | $75,691 |
| Average Commute | 23.5 min | 22.4 min |
| Walk Score | 28 | 28 |
| Crime Level | Very Low | 8.9 |
| School Rating | 9 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 108 | 136 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+6.1 | R+1.3 |
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
66 Score
Palm Desert, CA
California community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$544,379
Population
51,951
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
28
Pacific
View Palm Desert, CA →
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