Bloomington MN 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)
Bloomington, MN
Minnesota · Population: 71,261
- Median HH Income$103,382
- Median Home Price$366,438
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+36.1%
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
Bloomington
71,261
Carmel
100,501
Carmel +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bloomington
N/A
Carmel
N/A
Median Age
Bloomington
37.3
Bloomington +
Carmel
40.5
Foreign Born
Bloomington
14.1%
Bloomington +
Carmel
12.9%
White
Bloomington
72.7%
Carmel
77.5%
Carmel +
Black
Bloomington
8.6%
Bloomington +
Carmel
3.7%
Asian
Bloomington
9.5%
Carmel
11.6%
Carmel +
Hispanic
Bloomington
5.1%
Bloomington +
Carmel
5.0%
Spanish at Home
Bloomington
N/A
Carmel
N/A
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,261 | 100,501 | Carmel + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.3 | 40.5 | Bloomington + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 12.9% | Bloomington + |
| White | 72.7% | 77.5% | Carmel + |
| Black | 8.6% | 3.7% | Bloomington + |
| Asian | 9.5% | 11.6% | Carmel + |
| Hispanic | 5.1% | 5.0% | Bloomington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bloomington
$103,382
Carmel
$134,602
Carmel +
Per Capita Income
Bloomington
$44,640
Carmel
$71,546
Carmel +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bloomington
$69,467
Bloomington +
Carmel
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Bloomington
4.5%
Carmel
2.7%
Carmel +
Poverty Rate
Bloomington
6.5%
Carmel
3.7%
Carmel +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bloomington
36.1%
Carmel
74.5%
Carmel +
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $103,382 | $134,602 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,640 | $71,546 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,467 | $58,697 | Bloomington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 2.7% | Carmel + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.5% | 3.7% | Carmel + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.1% | 74.5% | Carmel + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bloomington
$366,438
Bloomington +
Carmel
$570,592
Homeownership Rate
Bloomington
85.0%
Bloomington +
Carmel
74.6%
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $366,438 | $570,592 | Bloomington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 85.0% | 74.6% | Bloomington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bloomington
284
Bloomington +
Carmel
370
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bloomington
1992
Carmel
1719
Carmel +
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 284 | 370 | Bloomington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1992 | 1719 | Carmel + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
26.8%
Bloomington +
Carmel
30.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
8.9%
Bloomington +
Carmel
9.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bloomington
14.2%
Carmel
12.5%
Carmel +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
8.5%
Carmel
4.4%
Carmel +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
17.2%
Carmel
16.2%
Carmel +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
11.4%
Carmel
8.2%
Carmel +
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.8% | 30.8% | Bloomington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 9.6% | Bloomington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.2% | 12.5% | Carmel + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 4.4% | Carmel + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 16.2% | Carmel + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 8.2% | Carmel + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bloomington
N/A
Carmel
51.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bloomington
N/A
Carmel
42.2 in
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | 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.)
Bloomington
8.1 µg/m³
Bloomington +
Carmel
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bloomington
75.0%
Bloomington +
Carmel
55.0%
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Bloomington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Bloomington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bloomington
27.0 min
Carmel
26.4 min
Carmel +
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.0 min | 26.4 min | Carmel + |
Which City is Right for You?
Carmel leads in median household income at $134,602, while bloomington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $366,438. On public safety, Bloomington is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in Carmel. Carmel has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Bloomington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bloomington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.8%.
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