Carmel, IN vs Wake Forest, NC
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
Wake Forest
68.8
#1286 nationally
Carmel leads in walk score (28 vs 20). Carmel leads in average commute (23.5 min vs 31.7 min). Carmel leads in cost of living index (108 vs 116).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Wake Forest, NC |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 74.5 (#579) | 68.8 (#1286) |
| Population | 104,776 | 54,337 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $580,014 | $513,720 |
| Median Household Income | $121,400 | $115,159 |
| Average Commute | 23.5 min | 31.7 min |
| Walk Score | 28 | 20 |
| Crime Level | Very Low | 4.0 |
| School Rating | 9 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 108 | 116 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+6.1 | D+25.6 |
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+
68.8 Score
Wake Forest, NC
North Carolina community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$513,720
Population
54,337
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
20
Southeast
View Wake Forest, NC →
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