City Comparison

Carmel vs Warwick

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Carmel

Indiana
106
Above Average
$478,000
Median Home
$1,700/mo
Median Rent
$141,500
Median Income

Warwick

Rhode Island
106
Above Average
$413,000
Median Home
$1,425/mo
Median Rent
$74,600
Median Income

The Verdict

0.0%

Living in Carmel costs 0.0% less than Warwick. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Carmel, you would need $75,000 in Warwick.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
134
Carmel
127
Warwick
Groceries
100
Carmel
102
Warwick
Utilities
97
Carmel
112
Warwick
Transportation
97
Carmel
105
Warwick
Healthcare
89
Carmel
103
Warwick

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Carmel has the same purchasing power as $75,000 in Warwick.

Conversely, $75,000 in Warwick equals $75,000 in Carmel.

Living in Carmel vs Warwick

Housing Costs

Carmel's housing index of 134 is higher Warwick's 127, translating to median home prices of $478,000 vs $413,000. The $65,000 difference in home prices means roughly $4,224 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,700/mo in Carmel compared to $1,425/mo in Warwick, a monthly difference of $275.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 100 in Carmel and 102 in Warwick. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in Carmel vs $485/month in Warwick. 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 112 in Warwick. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Carmel vs $448 in Warwick. 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 103 in Warwick. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 14-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $141,500 in Carmel and $74,600 in Warwick. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $133,491 and $70,377 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 $1,741/month in Warwick. In Carmel, median rent of $1,700/mo fits within this budget. In Warwick, median rent of $1,425/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 15 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Carmel is 0.0% more affordable overall with an index of 106 vs 106.
A $75,000 salary in Carmel has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $75,000 in Warwick, based on the cost of living difference.
Carmel's housing index is 134 with median homes at $478,000, while Warwick's is 127 with median homes at $413,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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