Boise ID 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)
Boise, ID
Idaho · Population: 235,701
- Median HH Income$81,308
- Median Home Price$504,894
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+46.6%
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
Boise
235,701
Boise +
Carmel
100,501
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boise
N/A
Carmel
N/A
Median Age
Boise
38.2
Boise +
Carmel
40.5
Foreign Born
Boise
7.2%
Carmel
12.9%
Carmel +
White
Boise
83.6%
Boise +
Carmel
77.5%
Black
Boise
1.4%
Carmel
3.7%
Carmel +
Asian
Boise
3.4%
Carmel
11.6%
Carmel +
Hispanic
Boise
9.5%
Boise +
Carmel
5.0%
Spanish at Home
Boise
N/A
Carmel
N/A
| Metric | Boise, ID | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,701 | 100,501 | Boise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 40.5 | Boise + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 12.9% | Carmel + |
| White | 83.6% | 77.5% | Boise + |
| Black | 1.4% | 3.7% | Carmel + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 11.6% | Carmel + |
| Hispanic | 9.5% | 5.0% | Boise + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boise
$81,308
Carmel
$134,602
Carmel +
Per Capita Income
Boise
$48,274
Carmel
$71,546
Carmel +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boise
$57,074
Carmel
$58,697
Carmel +
Unemployment Rate
Boise
3.8%
Carmel
2.7%
Carmel +
Poverty Rate
Boise
10.6%
Carmel
3.7%
Carmel +
Bachelor's Degree+
Boise
46.6%
Carmel
74.5%
Carmel +
| Metric | Boise, ID | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,308 | $134,602 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,274 | $71,546 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,074 | $58,697 | Carmel + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 2.7% | Carmel + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 3.7% | Carmel + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.6% | 74.5% | Carmel + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boise
$504,894
Boise +
Carmel
$570,592
Homeownership Rate
Boise
63.0%
Carmel
74.6%
Carmel +
| Metric | Boise, ID | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $504,894 | $570,592 | Boise + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.0% | 74.6% | Carmel + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
251
Boise +
Carmel
370
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
958
Boise +
Carmel
1719
| Metric | Boise, ID | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 251 | 370 | Boise + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 958 | 1719 | Boise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Carmel
30.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Carmel
9.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boise
N/A
Carmel
12.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Carmel
4.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Carmel
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Carmel
8.2%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 30.8% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.6% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 12.5% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 4.4% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.2% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.2% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
49.9°F
Boise +
Carmel
51.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
18.6 in
Boise +
Carmel
42.2 in
| Metric | Boise, ID | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 51.6°F | Boise + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.6 in | 42.2 in | Boise + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boise
7.7 µg/m³
Boise +
Carmel
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boise
75.0%
Boise +
Carmel
55.0%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Boise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Boise + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boise
20.4 min
Boise +
Carmel
26.4 min
| Metric | Boise, ID | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 26.4 min | Boise + |
Which City is Right for You?
Carmel leads in median household income at $134,602, while boise offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $504,894. On public safety, Boise is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in Carmel. Carmel has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Boise has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³).
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