Albany GA vs Carmel IN — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Albany, GA
Georgia · Population: 67,939
- Median HH Income$45,201
- Median Home Price$131,279
- Unemployment11.5%
- Bachelor's+21.5%
Carmel, IN
Indiana · Population: 100,501
- Median HH Income$134,602
- Median Home Price$570,592
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+74.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
67,939
Carmel
100,501
Carmel +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Carmel
N/A
Median Age
Albany
35.1
Albany +
Carmel
40.5
Foreign Born
Albany
1.7%
Carmel
12.9%
Carmel +
White
Albany
18.9%
Carmel
77.5%
Carmel +
Black
Albany
76.3%
Albany +
Carmel
3.7%
Asian
Albany
0.7%
Carmel
11.6%
Carmel +
Hispanic
Albany
2.5%
Carmel
5.0%
Carmel +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Carmel
N/A
| Metric | Albany, GA | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 67,939 | 100,501 | Carmel + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 40.5 | Albany + |
| Foreign Born | 1.7% | 12.9% | Carmel + |
| White | 18.9% | 77.5% | Carmel + |
| Black | 76.3% | 3.7% | Albany + |
| Asian | 0.7% | 11.6% | Carmel + |
| Hispanic | 2.5% | 5.0% | Carmel + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$45,201
Carmel
$134,602
Carmel +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$24,527
Carmel
$71,546
Carmel +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$57,405
Carmel
$58,697
Carmel +
Unemployment Rate
Albany
11.5%
Carmel
2.7%
Carmel +
Poverty Rate
Albany
29.2%
Carmel
3.7%
Carmel +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
21.5%
Carmel
74.5%
Carmel +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,201 | $134,602 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,527 | $71,546 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $58,697 | Carmel + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 2.7% | Carmel + |
| Poverty Rate | 29.2% | 3.7% | Carmel + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.5% | 74.5% | Carmel + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$131,279
Albany +
Carmel
$570,592
Homeownership Rate
Albany
39.3%
Carmel
74.6%
Carmel +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $131,279 | $570,592 | Albany + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.3% | 74.6% | Carmel + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
392
Carmel
370
Carmel +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1752
Carmel
1719
Carmel +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 370 | Carmel + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1719 | Carmel + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
43.0%
Carmel
30.8%
Carmel +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.2%
Carmel
9.6%
Carmel +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
20.4%
Carmel
12.5%
Carmel +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
16.8%
Carmel
4.4%
Carmel +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
11.1%
Albany +
Carmel
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.3%
Carmel
8.2%
Carmel +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 43.0% | 30.8% | Carmel + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 9.6% | Carmel + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 12.5% | Carmel + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 4.4% | Carmel + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 16.2% | Albany + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.3% | 8.2% | Carmel + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
66.2°F
Carmel
51.6°F
Carmel +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
51.4 in
Carmel
42.2 in
Carmel +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.2°F | 51.6°F | Carmel + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.4 in | 42.2 in | Carmel + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
9.8 µg/m³
Albany +
Carmel
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
55.0%
Carmel
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albany, GA | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Albany + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
22.0 min
Albany +
Carmel
26.4 min
| Metric | Albany, GA | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 26.4 min | Albany + |
Which City is Right for You?
Carmel leads in median household income at $134,602, while albany offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $131,279. On public safety, Carmel is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Albany. Carmel has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Albany has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Carmel scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.8%.
Compare More Cities
Albany, GA vs New York, NYAlbany, GA vs Los Angeles, CAAlbany, GA vs Chicago, ILAlbany, GA vs Houston, TXAlbany, GA vs Phoenix, AZAlbany, GA vs Philadelphia, PA