2025 Compare Cities Overview:
Santa Barbara, CA vs Carmel, IN

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Highlights
Are people in Carmel older or younger than people in Santa Barbara?
- The Median Age in Carmel is 1.2 years older than in Santa Barbara.

Are housing costs cheaper in Carmel or Santa Barbara?
- Carmel housing costs are 67.7% less expensive than Santa Barbara housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Carmel or Santa Barbara?
- The average commute for residents of Carmel is 7.0 minutes longer than it is for residents of Santa Barbara.

Things to do in Santa Barbara?
Santa Barbara, California has something for everyone - from fantastic beaches to world-class shopping and dining experiences. Visitors can explore Old Mission Santa Barbara or take part in various water activities around Stearns Wharf.

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!

 Santa Barbara, CACarmel, INUnited States
 Population  Unlock98,137329,725,481
 Median Income$89,243  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock40.338.4
 Avg. Home Price$1,525,500  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock3.0%6.0%
 Avg. Commute Time17.15  Unlock26.38
Reviews for Santa Barbara    51 Reviews

I moved to Santa Barbara around 23 years ago to study at Brooks, which like most of the Santa Barbara that I knew—has been destroyed. Homelessness, drugs, gangs, high  More

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Over 4 years ago

I fell in love with Santa Barbara about thirty years ago and finally moved here a few years ago. Because of the price of homes, it is an expensive place to live. The  More

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If you like high crime, paying a $4,500 a month mortgage and crazy high taxes, this is the place for you. It’s too bad because it wasn’t always like this. When I moved  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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