Carmel IN vs Chandler AZ — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Carmel, IN
Indiana · Population: 100,501
- Median HH Income$134,602
- Median Home Price$570,592
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+74.5%
Chandler, AZ
Arizona · Population: 278,123
- Median HH Income$103,691
- Median Home Price$524,013
- Unemployment3.6%
- Bachelor's+46.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Carmel
100,501
Chandler
278,123
Chandler +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Carmel
N/A
Chandler
N/A
Median Age
Carmel
40.5
Chandler
37.4
Chandler +
Foreign Born
Carmel
12.9%
Chandler
15.4%
Chandler +
White
Carmel
77.5%
Carmel +
Chandler
62.6%
Black
Carmel
3.7%
Chandler
5.2%
Chandler +
Asian
Carmel
11.6%
Carmel +
Chandler
11.4%
Hispanic
Carmel
5.0%
Chandler
21.4%
Chandler +
Spanish at Home
Carmel
N/A
Chandler
N/A
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Chandler, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,501 | 278,123 | Chandler + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.5 | 37.4 | Chandler + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 15.4% | Chandler + |
| White | 77.5% | 62.6% | Carmel + |
| Black | 3.7% | 5.2% | Chandler + |
| Asian | 11.6% | 11.4% | Carmel + |
| Hispanic | 5.0% | 21.4% | Chandler + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Carmel
$134,602
Carmel +
Chandler
$103,691
Per Capita Income
Carmel
$71,546
Carmel +
Chandler
$51,746
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Carmel
$58,697
Chandler
$59,120
Chandler +
Unemployment Rate
Carmel
2.7%
Carmel +
Chandler
3.6%
Poverty Rate
Carmel
3.7%
Carmel +
Chandler
7.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Carmel
74.5%
Carmel +
Chandler
46.8%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Chandler, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $134,602 | $103,691 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Income | $71,546 | $51,746 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $59,120 | Chandler + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 3.6% | Carmel + |
| Poverty Rate | 3.7% | 7.7% | Carmel + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 74.5% | 46.8% | Carmel + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Carmel
$570,592
Chandler
$524,013
Chandler +
Homeownership Rate
Carmel
74.6%
Carmel +
Chandler
65.6%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Chandler, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $570,592 | $524,013 | Chandler + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.6% | 65.6% | Carmel + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
370
Carmel +
Chandler
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
1719
Carmel +
Chandler
2150
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Chandler, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 450 | Carmel + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 2150 | Carmel + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
30.8%
Chandler
28.2%
Chandler +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
9.6%
Chandler
9.1%
Chandler +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Carmel
12.5%
Carmel +
Chandler
14.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Carmel
4.4%
Carmel +
Chandler
9.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Carmel
16.2%
Carmel +
Chandler
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Carmel
8.2%
Carmel +
Chandler
9.4%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Chandler, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.8% | 28.2% | Chandler + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 9.1% | Chandler + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.5% | 14.1% | Carmel + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 4.4% | 9.7% | Carmel + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 16.7% | Carmel + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 9.4% | Carmel + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
51.6°F
Chandler
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
42.2 in
Chandler
N/A
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Chandler, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.2 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Carmel
10.1 µg/m³
Chandler
7.1 µg/m³
Chandler +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Carmel
55.0%
Chandler
75.0%
Chandler +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Chandler, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Chandler + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Chandler + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Carmel
26.4 min
Chandler
26.1 min
Chandler +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Chandler, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.4 min | 26.1 min | Chandler + |
Which City is Right for You?
Carmel leads in median household income at $134,602, while chandler offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $524,013. On public safety, Carmel is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Chandler. Carmel has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Chandler has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chandler scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.2%.
Compare More Cities
Carmel, IN vs New York, NYCarmel, IN vs Los Angeles, CACarmel, IN vs Chicago, ILCarmel, IN vs Houston, TXCarmel, IN vs Phoenix, AZCarmel, IN vs Philadelphia, PA