Carmel 83 Exceptional
Carmel Livability #7 ranked city in Indiana#735 ranked city in the USARanks better than 97% of areas

Carmel, IN - The Roundabout City

Carmel, IN, known as 'The Roundabout City,' offers a unique blend of suburban tranquility and modern urban amenities. Located in Hamilton County, Carmel is a large city that serves as a major cultural and economic hub. Major nearby cities like Indianapolis (16 miles) and Fishers (9 miles) enhance its status as a central point in the region. Carmel's blend of scenic landscapes, cultural festivals, and urban amenities creates a distinctive living experience.

Carmel is home to several iconic landmarks, including the Carmel Arts & Design District, the historic Monon Trail, and the scenic Coxhall Gardens. The city offers a variety of attractions, from the beautiful Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts to the bustling Clay Terrace, known for its shopping and dining. Carmel's dining scene is diverse, offering everything from Midwestern cuisine to international dishes.

Annual events such as the Carmel International Arts Festival and the Carmel Christkindlmarkt highlight the city's vibrant cultural scene and provide unique entertainment opportunities for residents and visitors. These events celebrate Carmel's rich cultural heritage and community spirit. Prestigious institutions like the University of Indianapolis contribute to the city's academic and cultural vibrancy, fostering a thriving intellectual community.

The arts and culture scene in Carmel is dynamic and diverse, with numerous theaters, music venues, and art galleries. The Carmel Symphony Orchestra and the Carmel Artomobilia are just a few of the cultural landmarks that showcase the city's commitment to the arts. Living in Carmel provides ample opportunities to engage with art, music, and history, making it an exciting place to call home.

Carmel’s community is welcoming and diverse, creating a friendly environment for newcomers. The city is home to professional sports teams like the Indianapolis Colts (NFL) and the Indiana Pacers (NBA), providing plenty of excitement for sports fans. Major industries in Carmel include healthcare, education, and finance, with significant employers such as IU Health North Hospital and Allied Solutions driving economic growth. The city has extensive public transit options, including buses and bike-shari...

Pros and Cons of Living in Carmel

PROS
  • Amenities

    An abundance of amenities, including restaurants, coffee shops, grocery stores and fitness facilities, are conveniently situated within walking distance of the area.

  • Crime

    With a lower than average crime rate per 100,000 people, this area could be considered a very safe place to live. Crime rates are based on both violent and property crimes.

  • Employment

    The combination of higher than average median home income, income per capita and low unemployment rates results in a score that is well above average in the employment category.

  • Housing

    This area has received high scores in the housing category. This could be due to a positive home affordability ratio, high appreciation rates or elevated home values.

  • Health & Safety

    A high score in the health and safety category is a result of good air quality and the accessibility to health facilities such as hospitals, clinics, doctors, pharmacies and fire stations.

CONS
  • Commute

    Public transportation is not readily available in this area and the average commute time to work could also be longer than the national average.

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What's it like Living in Carmel?

Carmel is a medium-sized city located in the state of Indiana. The city has a population of 99,130 inhabitants. If we look at the most recent Census, Carmel is known to have a predominantly White population. The next two most common races are Asian and Black. On a daily basis, the typical American spends approximately 26 minutes on their one-way work commute. Reduced travel times not only contributes to increased overall happiness, but also affords more opportunities to cherish moments with family and friends. If you're living in Carmel, your commute time will align closely with the national average, spanning a one-way duration of approximately 24 minutes.

Whether you’re relocating to a new city to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Carmel could be a positive experience compared to other cities in Indiana if you know where to search. Don't forget to determine what matters most to you in a neighborhood. Consider factors such as safety, proximity to work or school, access to amenities (like parks, fitness facilities, grocery stores, restaurants), public transportation options, community atmosphere and the overall vibe you're looking for. To help you find the best places to live in and around Carmel, AreaVibes has created a livability score using key metrics like health & safety, employment, housing and more.

Using data and statistics Carmel has received a livability score of 83/100. This score is ranked in the 97th percentile when compared to all other cities. This is a fantastic score, as Carmel ranks well in multiple categories! Carmel also ranks in the top 10 percent of all cities, which is no small feat! For each of the livability categories, we see that Carmel ranks very well for amenities (A+), crime (A+), education (A+) and housing (A+).

Living in Carmel offers many benefits and offers an extensive array of local amenities. These amenities play a crucial role in enhancing the quality of life in this vibrant community. From readily accessible grocery stores to charming coffee shops, diverse dining options and generously spaced parks, Carmel provides a wide spectrum of resources for its residents. This ensures that your daily requirements are effortlessly met and creates abundant opportunities for leisure and recreation. The abundant local offerings contribute to the area's overall appeal, making it an attractive destination for those seeking convenience, variety and a fulfilling lifestyle. If you're considering a move, the wealth of local amenities continues could be a defining feature of this remarkable locale. Among the enticing options for fun and exploration in Carmel are: Monon Waterpark, The Center for the Performing Arts, and Booth Tarkington Civic Theatre.

Feeling a sense of safety in the area that you live in is a must for most people. Low crime rates can have a positive impact on things like home prices, home appreciation rates and can help foster positive community dynamics and social cohesion. Carmel has a violent crime rate of 65 crimes per 100,000 residents which is far lower than the national average.

The unemployment rate in Carmel has consistently declined over the years and currently stands well below the national average at 1.92%. This downward trend holds the potential to reduce poverty and inequality within the region, promote higher wage levels and stimulate greater economic growth. Such positive indicators signal the overall robust health of the local economy, offering a promising outlook for its residents and fostering an environment of financial well-being and prosperity.

Parents and families tend to prioritize school test scores when choosing educational institutions. Test score data can be a critical factor in evaluating and comparing schools. In Carmel, the average school test scores are an impressive 74%, well above the national average. This achievement reflects the educational system's dedication to providing students with the essential knowledge and tools for success. It ensures that your children will receive the support and resources needed to excel academically and thrive in their educational pursuits.

Finding affordable real estate and housing in Carmel can be tricky. Having said that, this area might be the place to get the best of both worlds. Based on factors like home/rental affordability and appreciation rates, this area has received an above average score in the housing category. A healthy real estate market can lead to wealth appreciation for property owners, as rising property values can contribute to homeowners' equity, financial stability and the ability to build long-term wealth.

Being close to public transit, grocery stores, parks and other conveniences are all important when weighing your options for a new home in Carmel. Before you determine if any of these amenities are available in the area, you will also want to know if the real estate prices in Carmel are affordable. The median home price for Carmel homes is $352,400, which is 178.6% higher than the Indiana average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Carmel, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 3.1, which is 24% higher than the Indiana average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Carmel

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Compare Carmel, IN Livability

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      Carmel transportation information

      Statistic Carmel Indiana National
      Average one way commute24min23min26min
      Workers who drive to work77.5%83.0%76.4%
      Workers who carpool5.8%8.9%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.0%1.1%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.2%0.5%0.6%
      Workers who walk1.7%2.1%2.8%
      Working from home14.1%3.5%4.6%
      Source: The Carmel, IN data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).