Alexandria VA 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)
Alexandria, VA
Virginia · Population: 156,788
- Median HH Income$113,638
- Median Home Price$679,447
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+65.8%
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
Alexandria
156,788
Alexandria +
Carmel
100,501
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Alexandria
N/A
Carmel
N/A
Median Age
Alexandria
37.5
Alexandria +
Carmel
40.5
Foreign Born
Alexandria
24.6%
Alexandria +
Carmel
12.9%
White
Alexandria
53.6%
Carmel
77.5%
Carmel +
Black
Alexandria
21.1%
Alexandria +
Carmel
3.7%
Asian
Alexandria
6.3%
Carmel
11.6%
Carmel +
Hispanic
Alexandria
18.2%
Alexandria +
Carmel
5.0%
Spanish at Home
Alexandria
N/A
Carmel
N/A
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,788 | 100,501 | Alexandria + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 40.5 | Alexandria + |
| Foreign Born | 24.6% | 12.9% | Alexandria + |
| White | 53.6% | 77.5% | Carmel + |
| Black | 21.1% | 3.7% | Alexandria + |
| Asian | 6.3% | 11.6% | Carmel + |
| Hispanic | 18.2% | 5.0% | Alexandria + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Alexandria
$113,638
Carmel
$134,602
Carmel +
Per Capita Income
Alexandria
$77,935
Alexandria +
Carmel
$71,546
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Alexandria
$69,581
Alexandria +
Carmel
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Alexandria
3.4%
Carmel
2.7%
Carmel +
Poverty Rate
Alexandria
8.4%
Carmel
3.7%
Carmel +
Bachelor's Degree+
Alexandria
65.8%
Carmel
74.5%
Carmel +
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,638 | $134,602 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Income | $77,935 | $71,546 | Alexandria + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $58,697 | Alexandria + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 2.7% | Carmel + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.4% | 3.7% | Carmel + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 65.8% | 74.5% | Carmel + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Alexandria
$679,447
Carmel
$570,592
Carmel +
Homeownership Rate
Alexandria
42.0%
Carmel
74.6%
Carmel +
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $679,447 | $570,592 | Carmel + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 74.6% | Carmel + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Alexandria
240
Alexandria +
Carmel
370
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Alexandria
1726
Carmel
1719
Carmel +
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 370 | Alexandria + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1719 | Carmel + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
31.7%
Carmel
30.8%
Carmel +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
9.2%
Alexandria +
Carmel
9.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Alexandria
15.0%
Carmel
12.5%
Carmel +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
8.6%
Carmel
4.4%
Carmel +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
16.5%
Carmel
16.2%
Carmel +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
9.1%
Carmel
8.2%
Carmel +
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.7% | 30.8% | Carmel + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 9.6% | Alexandria + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.0% | 12.5% | Carmel + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 4.4% | Carmel + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 16.2% | Carmel + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 8.2% | Carmel + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Alexandria
N/A
Carmel
51.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Alexandria
N/A
Carmel
42.2 in
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 51.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 42.2 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Alexandria
8.2 µg/m³
Alexandria +
Carmel
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Alexandria
75.0%
Alexandria +
Carmel
55.0%
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Alexandria + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Alexandria + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Alexandria
31.8 min
Carmel
26.4 min
Carmel +
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.8 min | 26.4 min | Carmel + |
Which City is Right for You?
Carmel leads in median household income at $134,602, while carmel offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $570,592. On public safety, Alexandria is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in Carmel. Carmel has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Alexandria has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Carmel scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.8%.
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