Boca Raton FL 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)
Boca Raton, FL
Florida · Population: 98,833
- Median HH Income$102,722
- Median Home Price$562,670
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+60.4%
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
Boca Raton
98,833
Carmel
100,501
Carmel +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boca Raton
N/A
Carmel
N/A
Median Age
Boca Raton
45.8
Carmel
40.5
Carmel +
Foreign Born
Boca Raton
20.0%
Boca Raton +
Carmel
12.9%
White
Boca Raton
77.2%
Carmel
77.5%
Carmel +
Black
Boca Raton
5.7%
Boca Raton +
Carmel
3.7%
Asian
Boca Raton
3.0%
Carmel
11.6%
Carmel +
Hispanic
Boca Raton
15.4%
Boca Raton +
Carmel
5.0%
Spanish at Home
Boca Raton
N/A
Carmel
N/A
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 98,833 | 100,501 | Carmel + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 45.8 | 40.5 | Carmel + |
| Foreign Born | 20.0% | 12.9% | Boca Raton + |
| White | 77.2% | 77.5% | Carmel + |
| Black | 5.7% | 3.7% | Boca Raton + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 11.6% | Carmel + |
| Hispanic | 15.4% | 5.0% | Boca Raton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boca Raton
$102,722
Carmel
$134,602
Carmel +
Per Capita Income
Boca Raton
$72,542
Boca Raton +
Carmel
$71,546
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boca Raton
$65,328
Boca Raton +
Carmel
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Boca Raton
5.9%
Carmel
2.7%
Carmel +
Poverty Rate
Boca Raton
9.4%
Carmel
3.7%
Carmel +
Bachelor's Degree+
Boca Raton
60.4%
Carmel
74.5%
Carmel +
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $102,722 | $134,602 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Income | $72,542 | $71,546 | Boca Raton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $58,697 | Boca Raton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 2.7% | Carmel + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.4% | 3.7% | Carmel + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 60.4% | 74.5% | Carmel + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boca Raton
$562,670
Boca Raton +
Carmel
$570,592
Homeownership Rate
Boca Raton
65.8%
Carmel
74.6%
Carmel +
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $562,670 | $570,592 | Boca Raton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.8% | 74.6% | Carmel + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boca Raton
324
Boca Raton +
Carmel
370
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boca Raton
1453
Boca Raton +
Carmel
1719
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 370 | Boca Raton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1719 | Boca Raton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
23.2%
Boca Raton +
Carmel
30.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
10.4%
Carmel
9.6%
Carmel +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boca Raton
14.3%
Carmel
12.5%
Carmel +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
9.7%
Carmel
4.4%
Carmel +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
14.7%
Boca Raton +
Carmel
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
8.8%
Carmel
8.2%
Carmel +
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.2% | 30.8% | Boca Raton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 9.6% | Carmel + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.3% | 12.5% | Carmel + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 4.4% | Carmel + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 16.2% | Boca Raton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 8.2% | Carmel + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boca Raton
N/A
Carmel
51.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boca Raton
N/A
Carmel
42.2 in
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | 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.)
Boca Raton
7.2 µg/m³
Boca Raton +
Carmel
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boca Raton
75.0%
Boca Raton +
Carmel
55.0%
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Boca Raton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Boca Raton + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boca Raton
23.4 min
Boca Raton +
Carmel
26.4 min
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 26.4 min | Boca Raton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Carmel leads in median household income at $134,602, while boca Raton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $562,670. On public safety, Boca Raton is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in Carmel. Carmel has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Boca Raton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Boca Raton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.2%.
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