Boulder 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)
Boulder, CO
Colorado · Population: 106,274
- Median HH Income$85,364
- Median Home Price$970,905
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+76.8%
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
Boulder
106,274
Boulder +
Carmel
100,501
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boulder
N/A
Carmel
N/A
Median Age
Boulder
28.8
Boulder +
Carmel
40.5
Foreign Born
Boulder
10.2%
Carmel
12.9%
Carmel +
White
Boulder
81.8%
Boulder +
Carmel
77.5%
Black
Boulder
1.1%
Carmel
3.7%
Carmel +
Asian
Boulder
5.8%
Carmel
11.6%
Carmel +
Hispanic
Boulder
11.2%
Boulder +
Carmel
5.0%
Spanish at Home
Boulder
N/A
Carmel
N/A
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,274 | 100,501 | Boulder + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.8 | 40.5 | Boulder + |
| Foreign Born | 10.2% | 12.9% | Carmel + |
| White | 81.8% | 77.5% | Boulder + |
| Black | 1.1% | 3.7% | Carmel + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 11.6% | Carmel + |
| Hispanic | 11.2% | 5.0% | Boulder + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boulder
$85,364
Carmel
$134,602
Carmel +
Per Capita Income
Boulder
$59,450
Carmel
$71,546
Carmel +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boulder
$76,653
Boulder +
Carmel
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Boulder
6.1%
Carmel
2.7%
Carmel +
Poverty Rate
Boulder
21.8%
Carmel
3.7%
Carmel +
Bachelor's Degree+
Boulder
76.8%
Boulder +
Carmel
74.5%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $85,364 | $134,602 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,450 | $71,546 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $58,697 | Boulder + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 2.7% | Carmel + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.8% | 3.7% | Carmel + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 76.8% | 74.5% | Boulder + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boulder
$970,905
Carmel
$570,592
Carmel +
Homeownership Rate
Boulder
47.9%
Carmel
74.6%
Carmel +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $970,905 | $570,592 | Carmel + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.9% | 74.6% | Carmel + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boulder
512
Carmel
370
Carmel +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boulder
3234
Carmel
1719
Carmel +
| Metric | Boulder, 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
Boulder
16.5%
Boulder +
Carmel
30.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boulder
5.7%
Boulder +
Carmel
9.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boulder
17.9%
Carmel
12.5%
Carmel +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boulder
8.6%
Carmel
4.4%
Carmel +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boulder
19.8%
Carmel
16.2%
Carmel +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boulder
9.0%
Carmel
8.2%
Carmel +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 30.8% | Boulder + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 5.7% | 9.6% | Boulder + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 12.5% | Carmel + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 4.4% | Carmel + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 16.2% | Carmel + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 8.2% | Carmel + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boulder
51.6°F
Carmel
51.6°F
Tie
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boulder
20.7 in
Boulder +
Carmel
42.2 in
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 51.6°F | Tie |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.7 in | 42.2 in | Boulder + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boulder
6.2 µg/m³
Boulder +
Carmel
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boulder
75.0%
Boulder +
Carmel
55.0%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Boulder + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Boulder + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boulder
21.0 min
Boulder +
Carmel
26.4 min
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.0 min | 26.4 min | Boulder + |
Which City is Right for You?
Carmel leads in median household income at $134,602, while carmel offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $570,592. On public safety, Carmel is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Boulder. Carmel has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Boulder has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Boulder scores better with a lower obesity rate of 16.5%.
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