Is all of Carmel IN nice?

Upswingnow • June 28, 2023

Is all of Carmel IN nice?

If you live in Indiana, and maybe even if you do not, you perhaps already have a sense for the reputation that Carmel, Indiana has. This popular Indianapolis suburb is well known for its fantastic school system, beautiful infrastructure, and yes…very expensive housing. But could you afford to live in Carmel, Indiana, if you don’t happen to have a massive salary? It might not be easy, but you may be able to make it work!

Carmel is a not-so-small town

With over 100,000 people calling Carmel home, it is one of Indianapolis’ largest suburbs. Indianapolis itself boasts a population of 900,000, so Carmel is still much smaller than the city, but it isn’t sleepy by any means. With 100K residents, there are plenty of people making it work in Carmel, and you have to imagine not all of them are millionaires.

Carmel is a very safe place to live

Unfortunately, Indianapolis gets a pretty bad reputation when it comes to safety. Mostly due to its sheer size, the crime rates in Indy are fairly high. Most of the crime is isolated to certain parts of town. Like any place, there are good neighborhoods, and less-than-savory neighborhoods.

In Carmel , you will be hard pressed to find any of these not-so-great areas. All of Carmel is extremely safe, and even the more affordable parts of town are not crime-stricken. Of the crime that does take place in Carmel, it is almost all non-violent crime, such as vandalism and theft. While no one wants to see their things getting damaged or stolen, in comparison to the violent crime we see more of in the city of Indy, it’s much safer.

Westfield IN neighborhood, How far north is too far for Indianapolis

Most affordable parts of Carmel

So, while we have agreed that all of Carmel is aesthetic and safe, are there any parts of town where you can hope to find a more affordable home? Yes, there are! First things first, you can eliminate looking near the Arts and Design district, and downtown, as these are some of the newest, most contemporary, and yes, expensive parts of town.

East Carmel is the oldest part of town (not extremely old, because once you get into the historic homes near downtown, they are of course expensive due to high demand and their location.) The homes in east Carmel are mostly built in the late 20 th century, and many of these houses have original 1980’s infrastructure that has not been updated.

Keep in mind that while the most affordable homes in Carmel might be cheaper by Carmel standards, you will still get less for your dollar if you decide to call Carmel home than if you lived in one of the other popular Indianapolis suburbs. But if living in lovely, safe Carmel is your goal, it can be done!

Carmel Indiana, How far north is too far for Indianapolis

Are you thinking of moving to Carmel, Indiana, or anywhere else in the Indianapolis Metro Area? If so, reach out to me at Compton Realty. I would love to help you find your perfect home in beautiful Indianapolis.

jason compton

A  former teacher turned full-time real estate agent serving Greater Indianapolis. I help buyers, sellers, and relocation clients make informed moves—especially those coming from out of state. From neighborhood insights to home tours, my goal is to simplify the process and help you feel confident in every step.

ready to move?

A man is standing in front of a city skyline on the cover of a relocation guide for indianapolis.

WATCH OUR VIDEOS

Stay Informed

Insights, Tips & Life in Indianapolis

Your go-to resource for all things real estate and Indy living. Whether you're buying, selling, relocating, or just curious about the local market, our blog is packed with helpful articles, expert advice, and community highlights to keep you informed and inspired.

An aerial view of a city skyline at night
By Upswing 2 June 19, 2025
Do you really know Downtown Indianapolis? We have listed fun things to do and see in this beautiful historic Downtown Indy. The post How big is Downtown Indianapolis? appeared first on Living In Indianapolis.
A city skyline with a river in the foreground at sunset.
By Upswing 2 June 19, 2025
Discover 5 Northern Indianapolis Suburbs; each varies in size, atmosphere & cost of living and we've compiled these basics for you. The post Getting to Know the Northern Indianapolis Suburbs appeared first on Living In Indianapolis.
An aerial view of an american flag flying in a park.
By Upswing 2 June 19, 2025
Top Reasons to live in Fishers - This suburb is known for its unique character, family-friendly nature, and affordability. The post 5 Reasons to live in Fishers appeared first on Living In Indianapolis.
A woman is sitting at a desk writing with a pencil
By Upswing 2 June 19, 2025
Historic charm, a beautiful reservoir, and one of the largest amphitheaters in the Indy. Read these pros and cons of living in Noblesville. The post Pros & Cons of Living in Noblesville appeared first on Living In Indianapolis.
A blue sign that says subscribe and learn about living in indianapolis and the surrounding metro
By Upswing 2 June 19, 2025
The best part of living on the East side of Fishers, Indy is you get a bit more space and the great outdoors this could be the place for you. The post Why is the east side of Fishers, IN Different? appeared first on Living In Indianapolis.
An aerial view of a small town with a green building in the middle of the street.
By Upswing 2 June 19, 2025
This friendly suburb may have a few reasons not to move to Westfield, Indiana from the location, affordability and growing neighborhoods. The post 5 Reasons NOT to Move to Westfield, Indiana appeared first on Living In Indianapolis.
A blue sign that says subscribe and learn about living in indianapolis and the surrounding metro
By Upswing 2 June 19, 2025
Live in this beautiful, charming neighborhood of Indianapolis - Broad Ripple. It has character, a great food scene, & is near Downtown. The post Broad Ripple – One of Indianapolis’s Best Neighborhoods appeared first on Living In Indianapolis.
A blue sign that says subscribe and learn about living in indianapolis and the surrounding metro
By Upswing 2 June 19, 2025
Lawrence, Indiana is one of the best places to live in Indianapolis and we have listed the pros and cons of living in Lawrence. The post Pros & Cons of Living in Lawrence IN appeared first on Living In Indianapolis.
Two people are walking down a stone path in a park.
By Upswing 2 June 19, 2025
These walkable suburbs of Indianapolis provide countless benefits from walking to amenities, reduced carbon emissions, and health benefits. The post Top 5 Walkable Suburbs of Indianapolis appeared first on Living In Indianapolis.
A city street with lots of tall buildings and cars driving down it
By Upswing 2 June 19, 2025
Only have a couple of days to visit Indianapolis? We have you covered! Get to know Indianapolis with these must-see & must dos when visiting! The post How to get to know Indianapolis in one Weekend appeared first on Living In Indianapolis.
Show More