Carmel vs Davenport
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Carmel
Davenport
The Verdict
Living in Davenport costs 27.7% less than Carmel. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Carmel, you would need $58,726 in Davenport.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Carmel has the same purchasing power as $58,726 in Davenport.
Conversely, $75,000 in Davenport equals $95,783 in Carmel.
Living in Carmel vs Davenport
Housing Costs
Carmel's housing index of 134 is higher Davenport's 60, translating to median home prices of $478,000 vs $212,000. The $266,000 difference in home prices means roughly $17,292 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,700/mo in Carmel compared to $900/mo in Davenport, a monthly difference of $800.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 100 in Carmel and 97 in Davenport. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in Carmel vs $461/month in Davenport. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 97 in Carmel and 83 in Davenport. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Carmel vs $332 in Davenport. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 89 in Carmel and 97 in Davenport. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $141,500 in Carmel and $66,200 in Davenport. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $133,491 and $79,759 respectively. Carmel residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $3,302/month to housing in Carmel vs $1,545/month in Davenport. In Carmel, median rent of $1,700/mo fits within this budget. In Davenport, median rent of $900/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 74 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases