Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Carmel, IN
VS
Kirkland, WA
🏆 Carmel leads 16 of 22 categories
Carmel
Indiana
16
wins
Cost of Living Index
94.6 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$132,859
Violent Crime Index
17
Population
99,453 ✓ Larger
Kirkland
Washington
6
wins
Cost of Living Index
113.0⚠ High
Median Household Income
$135,608 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
16 ✓ Safer
Population
92,015
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Carmel, IN
Pros
Homes cost $512k less ($425,900 vs $937,700)
Rent averages $751/mo less ($1,499 vs $2,250)
18% cheaper overall cost of living than Kirkland
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.1 pts lower (2.6%)
Violent crime is well below the national average (66.0 vs 380/100k)
More college-educated — 73.7% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Median income trails Kirkland by $2,749/yr
Kirkland, WA
Pros
Violent crime is well below the national average (60.6 vs 380/100k)
Milder winters — January highs near 47°F vs 35°F
Cooler summers — July highs near 77°F vs 84°F
Households earn $2,749 more per year on average
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $937,700
Higher rents — median is $2,250/mo
Cost of living runs 18% higher than Carmel
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 113.0)
Key Differences at a Glance
Carmel
Cost of Living
18% cheaper
COL index 94.6 vs 113.0 (100 = US avg)
Carmel
Median Home Value
$512k less
$425,900 vs $937,700
Carmel
Unemployment
2.1 pp lower
2.6% vs 4.7% unemployment
Carmel
Summer Heat
7.9°F warmer
July avg high 84.4°F vs 76.5°F
Kirkland
Median Income
$2,749
$135,608 vs $132,859/yr
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Kirkland, WA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 94.6 ✓ Cheaper | 113.0⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $425,900⚠ High ✓ Lower | $937,700⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,499⚠ High ✓ Lower | $2,250⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $132,859 | $135,608 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.6% ✓ Lower | 4.7%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 25.2 min ✓ Shorter | 25.5 min |
| Work From Home % | 21.3% | 24.9% ✓ 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 | 16 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 39 ✓ Safer | 96 |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A (120) ✓ Better | C+ (89) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 15.6:1 | — |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 73.7% ✓ Higher | 62.9% |
| High School or Higher | 98.1% ✓ Higher | 96.6% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Carmel Clay Schools | Lake Washington Institute of Technology |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 34.5°F | 47.4°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 84.4°F ✓ Warmer | 76.5°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 44.2" | 37.8" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 20.3" | 3.8" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 99,453 ✓ Larger | 92,015 |
| Median Age | 40.6 ✓ Older | 38.0 |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.6% ✓ Higher | 62.1% |
| Under 18 | 24.8% ✓ More | 20.0% |
| Over 65 | 14.7% ✓ More | 14.1% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Carmel's cost of living index is 94.6 vs Kirkland's 113.0 (US average = 100).
Carmel is 18% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Carmel leads 16 of 22 categories. Carmel wins 16 and Kirkland wins 6. 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 Kirkland or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($425,900 vs $937,700 median home), income ($132,859 vs $135,608), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Carmel, IN and Kirkland, WA are about 1,856 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.