Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Carmel, IN
VS
Highlands Ranch, CO
🏆 Carmel leads 12 of 23 categories
Carmel
Indiana
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
94.6 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$132,859
Violent Crime Index
17 ✓ Safer
Population
99,453
Highlands Ranch
Colorado
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
105.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$148,227 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
36
Population
101,514 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Carmel, IN
Pros
Rent averages $854/mo less ($1,499 vs $2,353)
Homes cost $212k less ($425,900 vs $637,400)
52% less violent crime than Highlands Ranch
Violent crime is well below the national average (66.0 vs 380/100k)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.8 pts lower (2.6%)
11% cheaper overall cost of living than Highlands Ranch
Cons
Median income trails Highlands Ranch by $15,368/yr
Highlands Ranch, CO
Pros
Violent crime is well below the national average (138.1 vs 380/100k)
Households earn $15,368 more per year on average
Milder winters — January highs near 45°F vs 35°F
Cons
Higher rents — median is $2,353/mo
Pricier housing — median home is $637,400
Cost of living runs 11% higher than Carmel
Snowy winters — about 64" of snow per year
Key Differences at a Glance
Carmel
Cost of Living
11% cheaper
COL index 94.6 vs 105.5 (100 = US avg)
Carmel
Violent Crime
52% lower
66.0 vs 138.1 per 100k
Carmel
Median Home Value
$212k less
$425,900 vs $637,400
Carmel
Unemployment
0.8 pp lower
2.6% vs 3.4% unemployment
Highlands Ranch
Median Income
$15,368
$148,227 vs $132,859/yr
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Highlands Ranch, CO |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 94.6 ✓ Cheaper | 105.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $425,900⚠ High ✓ Lower | $637,400⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,499⚠ High ✓ Lower | $2,353⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $132,859 | $148,227 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.6% ✓ Lower | 3.4% |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 25.2 min | 25.1 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 21.3% | 26.2% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 26 ✓ Safer | 48 |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 17 ✓ Safer | 36 |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 39 ✓ Safer | 65 |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A (120) ✓ Better | A- (114) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 15.6:1 ✓ Smaller | 17.4:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 73.7% ✓ Higher | 65.7% |
| High School or Higher | 98.1% | 98.8% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Carmel Clay Schools | Douglas County School District No. Re 1 |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 34.5°F | 44.6°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 84.4°F | 87.3°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 44.2" | 18.2" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 20.3" ✓ Less | 64.0" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 99,453 | 101,514 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 40.6 | 41.0 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.6% | 79.4% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 24.8% | 24.9% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 14.7% ✓ More | 13.4% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Carmel's cost of living index is 94.6 vs Highlands Ranch's 105.5 (US average = 100).
Carmel is 11% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Carmel leads 12 of 23 categories. Carmel wins 12 and Highlands Ranch wins 11. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Carmel to Highlands Ranch or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($425,900 vs $637,400 median home), income ($132,859 vs $148,227), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Carmel, IN and Highlands Ranch, CO are about 998 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.