Aurora 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)
Aurora, CO
Colorado · Population: 390,201
- Median HH Income$84,320
- Median Home Price$464,881
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+32.9%
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
Aurora
390,201
Aurora +
Carmel
100,501
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Carmel
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
35.1
Aurora +
Carmel
40.5
Foreign Born
Aurora
21.8%
Aurora +
Carmel
12.9%
White
Aurora
49.2%
Carmel
77.5%
Carmel +
Black
Aurora
15.8%
Aurora +
Carmel
3.7%
Asian
Aurora
6.0%
Carmel
11.6%
Carmel +
Hispanic
Aurora
30.6%
Aurora +
Carmel
5.0%
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Carmel
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 390,201 | 100,501 | Aurora + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 40.5 | Aurora + |
| Foreign Born | 21.8% | 12.9% | Aurora + |
| White | 49.2% | 77.5% | Carmel + |
| Black | 15.8% | 3.7% | Aurora + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 11.6% | Carmel + |
| Hispanic | 30.6% | 5.0% | Aurora + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$84,320
Carmel
$134,602
Carmel +
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$40,424
Carmel
$71,546
Carmel +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$76,653
Aurora +
Carmel
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
5.7%
Carmel
2.7%
Carmel +
Poverty Rate
Aurora
11.3%
Carmel
3.7%
Carmel +
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
32.9%
Carmel
74.5%
Carmel +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $84,320 | $134,602 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,424 | $71,546 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $58,697 | Aurora + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 2.7% | Carmel + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.3% | 3.7% | Carmel + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | 74.5% | Carmel + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$464,881
Aurora +
Carmel
$570,592
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
63.3%
Carmel
74.6%
Carmel +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $464,881 | $570,592 | Aurora + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% | 74.6% | Carmel + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
512
Carmel
370
Carmel +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
3234
Carmel
1719
Carmel +
| Metric | Aurora, 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
Aurora
29.1%
Aurora +
Carmel
30.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
9.5%
Aurora +
Carmel
9.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
17.6%
Carmel
12.5%
Carmel +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
16.1%
Carmel
4.4%
Carmel +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.4%
Carmel
16.2%
Carmel +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
12.7%
Carmel
8.2%
Carmel +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.1% | 30.8% | Aurora + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 9.6% | Aurora + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 12.5% | Carmel + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 4.4% | Carmel + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 16.2% | Carmel + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 8.2% | Carmel + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
N/A
Carmel
51.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
N/A
Carmel
42.2 in
| Metric | Aurora, 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.)
Aurora
6.2 µg/m³
Aurora +
Carmel
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
75.0%
Aurora +
Carmel
55.0%
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Aurora + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Aurora + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Aurora
30.9 min
Carmel
26.4 min
Carmel +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.9 min | 26.4 min | Carmel + |
Which City is Right for You?
Carmel leads in median household income at $134,602, while aurora offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $464,881. On public safety, Carmel is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Aurora. Carmel has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Aurora has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Aurora scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.1%.
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