2025 Compare Cities Overview:
Lake Forest, CA vs Carmel, IN

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Highlights
Are people in Carmel older or younger than people in Lake Forest?
- The Median Age in Carmel is 0.2 years older than in Lake Forest.

Are housing costs cheaper in Carmel or Lake Forest?
- Carmel housing costs are 47.4% less expensive than Lake Forest housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Carmel or Lake Forest?
- The average commute for residents of Carmel is 1.8 minutes shorter than it is for residents of Lake Forest.

Things to do in Lake Forest?
Lake Forest, California markets itself as the ultimate Southern California lifestyle with numerous parks, shopping centers, and miles of trails giving visitors plenty of options for an active lifestyle.

Things to do in Carmel?
Carmel, Indiana is a beautiful city located in Hamilton County. Boasting an array of outdoor attractions like the Monon Trail and The Palladium at Carmel City Center, it's no wonder that visitors and locals alike enjoy spending time outdoors. There are also an abundance of cultural sites like The Center for the Performing Arts and the Museum of Miniature Houses. After exploring, visitors can satisfy their hunger with food from local favorites such as Upland Brewing Co or Puccini's Smiling Teeth Pizza & Pasta. With so much to offer, Carmel is an ideal destination for any traveler looking for an unforgettable experience!

 Lake Forest, CACarmel, INUnited States
 Population  Unlock98,137329,725,481
 Median Income$117,374  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock40.338.4
 Avg. Home Price$937,500  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock3.0%6.0%
 Avg. Commute Time26  Unlock26.38
Reviews for Lake Forest    16 Reviews

I've lived in Lake Forest for over a decade, before that elsewhere in OC and also up in LA. Lake Forest isn't perfect but it's really improved over the past decade,  More

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As a retired senior who has lived in Lake Forest (formerly El Toro) since 1977 I think LF is a great place if you can afford it. When we moved here in June '77 homes  More

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I’ve lived here for 2 years. Ok, it’s more like a 4 but there are so many idiots downplaying what it’s like here and giving Lake Forest ones and twos. There are a lot of  More

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Reviews for Carmel    26 Reviews

I moved to Carmel from France and I lived there for 20 years. I moved to Indianapolis recently (I miss Carmel). I liked Carmel because it is clean, safe, pretty, it has  More

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This place has just about every corporate chain hotel imaginable. I come for business, and it is a nice place to do business. Carmel seems to sucking the corporate  More

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Over 10 years ago

Carmel is hands down the best place to live in  More

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