Ann Arbor MI 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)
Ann Arbor, MI
Michigan · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$531,674
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
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
Ann Arbor
N/A
Carmel
100,501
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Ann Arbor
N/A
Carmel
N/A
Median Age
Ann Arbor
N/A
Carmel
40.5
Foreign Born
Ann Arbor
N/A
Carmel
12.9%
White
Ann Arbor
N/A
Carmel
77.5%
Black
Ann Arbor
N/A
Carmel
3.7%
Asian
Ann Arbor
N/A
Carmel
11.6%
Hispanic
Ann Arbor
N/A
Carmel
5.0%
Spanish at Home
Ann Arbor
N/A
Carmel
N/A
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 100,501 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 40.5 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 12.9% | - |
| White | N/A | 77.5% | - |
| Black | N/A | 3.7% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 11.6% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 5.0% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Ann Arbor
N/A
Carmel
$134,602
Per Capita Income
Ann Arbor
N/A
Carmel
$71,546
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Ann Arbor
$58,052
Carmel
$58,697
Carmel +
Unemployment Rate
Ann Arbor
N/A
Carmel
2.7%
Poverty Rate
Ann Arbor
N/A
Carmel
3.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Ann Arbor
N/A
Carmel
74.5%
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $134,602 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $71,546 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $58,697 | Carmel + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 2.7% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 3.7% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 74.5% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Ann Arbor
$531,674
Ann Arbor +
Carmel
$570,592
Homeownership Rate
Ann Arbor
N/A
Carmel
74.6%
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,674 | $570,592 | Ann Arbor + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 74.6% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Ann Arbor
471
Carmel
370
Carmel +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Ann Arbor
1590
Ann Arbor +
Carmel
1719
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 370 | Carmel + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1719 | Ann Arbor + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
25.8%
Ann Arbor +
Carmel
30.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
6.4%
Ann Arbor +
Carmel
9.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Ann Arbor
18.3%
Carmel
12.5%
Carmel +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
6.0%
Carmel
4.4%
Carmel +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
18.3%
Carmel
16.2%
Carmel +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
9.1%
Carmel
8.2%
Carmel +
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.8% | 30.8% | Ann Arbor + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.4% | 9.6% | Ann Arbor + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 12.5% | Carmel + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.0% | 4.4% | Carmel + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 16.2% | Carmel + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 8.2% | Carmel + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Ann Arbor
48.4°F
Ann Arbor +
Carmel
51.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Ann Arbor
N/A
Carmel
42.2 in
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.4°F | 51.6°F | Ann Arbor + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 42.2 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Ann Arbor
10.7 µg/m³
Carmel
10.1 µg/m³
Carmel +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Ann Arbor
55.0%
Carmel
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Carmel + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Ann Arbor
N/A
Carmel
26.4 min
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 26.4 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Ann Arbor offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $531,674. On public safety, Carmel is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Ann Arbor. Carmel has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 10.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Ann Arbor scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.8%.
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