Arvada CO 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)
Arvada, CO
Colorado · Population: 122,835
- Median HH Income$113,396
- Median Home Price$617,536
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+50.0%
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
Arvada
122,835
Arvada +
Carmel
100,501
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Arvada
N/A
Carmel
N/A
Median Age
Arvada
40.2
Arvada +
Carmel
40.5
Foreign Born
Arvada
5.2%
Carmel
12.9%
Carmel +
White
Arvada
82.8%
Arvada +
Carmel
77.5%
Black
Arvada
1.0%
Carmel
3.7%
Carmel +
Asian
Arvada
2.6%
Carmel
11.6%
Carmel +
Hispanic
Arvada
15.4%
Arvada +
Carmel
5.0%
Spanish at Home
Arvada
N/A
Carmel
N/A
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 122,835 | 100,501 | Arvada + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.2 | 40.5 | Arvada + |
| Foreign Born | 5.2% | 12.9% | Carmel + |
| White | 82.8% | 77.5% | Arvada + |
| Black | 1.0% | 3.7% | Carmel + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 11.6% | Carmel + |
| Hispanic | 15.4% | 5.0% | Arvada + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Arvada
$113,396
Carmel
$134,602
Carmel +
Per Capita Income
Arvada
$56,655
Carmel
$71,546
Carmel +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Arvada
$76,653
Arvada +
Carmel
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Arvada
3.9%
Carmel
2.7%
Carmel +
Poverty Rate
Arvada
6.0%
Carmel
3.7%
Carmel +
Bachelor's Degree+
Arvada
50.0%
Carmel
74.5%
Carmel +
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,396 | $134,602 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Income | $56,655 | $71,546 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $58,697 | Arvada + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 2.7% | Carmel + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.0% | 3.7% | Carmel + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 50.0% | 74.5% | Carmel + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Arvada
$617,536
Carmel
$570,592
Carmel +
Homeownership Rate
Arvada
74.9%
Arvada +
Carmel
74.6%
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $617,536 | $570,592 | Carmel + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.9% | 74.6% | Arvada + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arvada
512
Carmel
370
Carmel +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arvada
3234
Carmel
1719
Carmel +
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 370 | Carmel + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1719 | Carmel + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Arvada
23.4%
Arvada +
Carmel
30.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Arvada
8.3%
Arvada +
Carmel
9.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Arvada
15.1%
Carmel
12.5%
Carmel +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Arvada
8.4%
Carmel
4.4%
Carmel +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Arvada
19.9%
Carmel
16.2%
Carmel +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Arvada
10.3%
Carmel
8.2%
Carmel +
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.4% | 30.8% | Arvada + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 9.6% | Arvada + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.1% | 12.5% | Carmel + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 4.4% | Carmel + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.9% | 16.2% | Carmel + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 8.2% | Carmel + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arvada
N/A
Carmel
51.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arvada
N/A
Carmel
42.2 in
| Metric | Arvada, CO | 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.)
Arvada
6.2 µg/m³
Arvada +
Carmel
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Arvada
75.0%
Arvada +
Carmel
55.0%
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Arvada + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Arvada + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Arvada
28.6 min
Carmel
26.4 min
Carmel +
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.6 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, Carmel is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Arvada. Carmel has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Arvada has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Arvada scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.4%.
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