Anchorage AK 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)
Anchorage, AK
Alaska · Population: 289,069
- Median HH Income$98,152
- Median Home Price$414,014
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+37.7%
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
Anchorage
289,069
Anchorage +
Carmel
100,501
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Anchorage
N/A
Carmel
N/A
Median Age
Anchorage
34.9
Anchorage +
Carmel
40.5
Foreign Born
Anchorage
10.9%
Carmel
12.9%
Carmel +
White
Anchorage
58.3%
Carmel
77.5%
Carmel +
Black
Anchorage
5.3%
Anchorage +
Carmel
3.7%
Asian
Anchorage
9.8%
Carmel
11.6%
Carmel +
Hispanic
Anchorage
9.3%
Anchorage +
Carmel
5.0%
Spanish at Home
Anchorage
N/A
Carmel
N/A
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,069 | 100,501 | Anchorage + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 40.5 | Anchorage + |
| Foreign Born | 10.9% | 12.9% | Carmel + |
| White | 58.3% | 77.5% | Carmel + |
| Black | 5.3% | 3.7% | Anchorage + |
| Asian | 9.8% | 11.6% | Carmel + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 5.0% | Anchorage + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Anchorage
$98,152
Carmel
$134,602
Carmel +
Per Capita Income
Anchorage
$49,338
Carmel
$71,546
Carmel +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Anchorage
$69,233
Anchorage +
Carmel
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Anchorage
4.6%
Carmel
2.7%
Carmel +
Poverty Rate
Anchorage
9.3%
Carmel
3.7%
Carmel +
Bachelor's Degree+
Anchorage
37.7%
Carmel
74.5%
Carmel +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $98,152 | $134,602 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,338 | $71,546 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,233 | $58,697 | Anchorage + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 2.7% | Carmel + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.3% | 3.7% | Carmel + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.7% | 74.5% | Carmel + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Anchorage
$414,014
Anchorage +
Carmel
$570,592
Homeownership Rate
Anchorage
63.7%
Carmel
74.6%
Carmel +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $414,014 | $570,592 | Anchorage + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.7% | 74.6% | Carmel + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
780
Carmel
370
Carmel +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
1849
Carmel
1719
Carmel +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 780 | 370 | Carmel + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1849 | 1719 | Carmel + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
35.2%
Carmel
30.8%
Carmel +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.0%
Anchorage +
Carmel
9.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Anchorage
16.4%
Carmel
12.5%
Carmel +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.7%
Carmel
4.4%
Carmel +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
18.0%
Carmel
16.2%
Carmel +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
14.4%
Carmel
8.2%
Carmel +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 30.8% | Carmel + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 9.6% | Anchorage + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 12.5% | Carmel + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 4.4% | Carmel + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 16.2% | Carmel + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 8.2% | Carmel + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
37.0°F
Anchorage +
Carmel
51.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
16.7 in
Anchorage +
Carmel
42.2 in
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.0°F | 51.6°F | Anchorage + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.7 in | 42.2 in | Anchorage + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Anchorage
7.6 µg/m³
Anchorage +
Carmel
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Anchorage
75.0%
Anchorage +
Carmel
55.0%
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Anchorage + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Anchorage + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Anchorage
20.4 min
Anchorage +
Carmel
26.4 min
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 26.4 min | Anchorage + |
Which City is Right for You?
Carmel leads in median household income at $134,602, while anchorage offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $414,014. On public safety, Carmel is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 780 in Anchorage. Carmel has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Anchorage has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Carmel scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.8%.
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