Atlanta 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)
Atlanta, GA
Georgia · Population: 499,287
- Median HH Income$81,938
- Median Home Price$387,752
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+58.4%
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
Atlanta
499,287
Atlanta +
Carmel
100,501
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Atlanta
N/A
Carmel
N/A
Median Age
Atlanta
34.0
Atlanta +
Carmel
40.5
Foreign Born
Atlanta
8.6%
Carmel
12.9%
Carmel +
White
Atlanta
39.9%
Carmel
77.5%
Carmel +
Black
Atlanta
46.9%
Atlanta +
Carmel
3.7%
Asian
Atlanta
5.0%
Carmel
11.6%
Carmel +
Hispanic
Atlanta
6.3%
Atlanta +
Carmel
5.0%
Spanish at Home
Atlanta
N/A
Carmel
N/A
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 499,287 | 100,501 | Atlanta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 40.5 | Atlanta + |
| Foreign Born | 8.6% | 12.9% | Carmel + |
| White | 39.9% | 77.5% | Carmel + |
| Black | 46.9% | 3.7% | Atlanta + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 11.6% | Carmel + |
| Hispanic | 6.3% | 5.0% | Atlanta + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Atlanta
$81,938
Carmel
$134,602
Carmel +
Per Capita Income
Atlanta
$64,063
Carmel
$71,546
Carmel +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Atlanta
$57,405
Carmel
$58,697
Carmel +
Unemployment Rate
Atlanta
5.9%
Carmel
2.7%
Carmel +
Poverty Rate
Atlanta
17.9%
Carmel
3.7%
Carmel +
Bachelor's Degree+
Atlanta
58.4%
Carmel
74.5%
Carmel +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,938 | $134,602 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,063 | $71,546 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $58,697 | Carmel + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 2.7% | Carmel + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 3.7% | Carmel + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.4% | 74.5% | Carmel + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Atlanta
$387,752
Atlanta +
Carmel
$570,592
Homeownership Rate
Atlanta
46.3%
Carmel
74.6%
Carmel +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $387,752 | $570,592 | Atlanta + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.3% | 74.6% | Carmel + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
392
Carmel
370
Carmel +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
1752
Carmel
1719
Carmel +
| Metric | Atlanta, 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
Atlanta
29.3%
Atlanta +
Carmel
30.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
10.6%
Carmel
9.6%
Carmel +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Atlanta
17.2%
Carmel
12.5%
Carmel +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.3%
Carmel
4.4%
Carmel +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
17.2%
Carmel
16.2%
Carmel +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.1%
Carmel
8.2%
Carmel +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.3% | 30.8% | Atlanta + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 9.6% | Carmel + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 12.5% | Carmel + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 4.4% | Carmel + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 16.2% | Carmel + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 8.2% | Carmel + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
N/A
Carmel
51.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
51.5 in
Carmel
42.2 in
Carmel +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 51.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5 in | 42.2 in | Carmel + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Atlanta
9.8 µg/m³
Atlanta +
Carmel
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Atlanta
55.0%
Carmel
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Atlanta + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Atlanta
28.7 min
Carmel
26.4 min
Carmel +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.7 min | 26.4 min | Carmel + |
Which City is Right for You?
Carmel leads in median household income at $134,602, while atlanta offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $387,752. On public safety, Carmel is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Atlanta. Carmel has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Atlanta has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Atlanta scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.3%.
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