Carmel IN vs Charleston SC — 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%
Charleston, SC
South Carolina · Population: 152,014
- Median HH Income$90,038
- Median Home Price$593,739
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+57.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Carmel
100,501
Charleston
152,014
Charleston +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Carmel
N/A
Charleston
N/A
Median Age
Carmel
40.5
Charleston
36.1
Charleston +
Foreign Born
Carmel
12.9%
Carmel +
Charleston
5.4%
White
Carmel
77.5%
Carmel +
Charleston
72.9%
Black
Carmel
3.7%
Charleston
17.4%
Charleston +
Asian
Carmel
11.6%
Carmel +
Charleston
2.2%
Hispanic
Carmel
5.0%
Charleston
5.9%
Charleston +
Spanish at Home
Carmel
N/A
Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,501 | 152,014 | Charleston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.5 | 36.1 | Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 5.4% | Carmel + |
| White | 77.5% | 72.9% | Carmel + |
| Black | 3.7% | 17.4% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 11.6% | 2.2% | Carmel + |
| Hispanic | 5.0% | 5.9% | Charleston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Carmel
$134,602
Carmel +
Charleston
$90,038
Per Capita Income
Carmel
$71,546
Carmel +
Charleston
$58,583
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Carmel
$58,697
Carmel +
Charleston
$54,550
Unemployment Rate
Carmel
2.7%
Carmel +
Charleston
3.4%
Poverty Rate
Carmel
3.7%
Carmel +
Charleston
12.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Carmel
74.5%
Carmel +
Charleston
57.7%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $134,602 | $90,038 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Income | $71,546 | $58,583 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $54,550 | Carmel + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 3.4% | Carmel + |
| Poverty Rate | 3.7% | 12.0% | Carmel + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 74.5% | 57.7% | Carmel + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Carmel
$570,592
Carmel +
Charleston
$593,739
Homeownership Rate
Carmel
74.6%
Carmel +
Charleston
55.6%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $570,592 | $593,739 | Carmel + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.6% | 55.6% | Carmel + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
370
Carmel +
Charleston
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
1719
Carmel +
Charleston
1999
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 398 | Carmel + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1999 | Carmel + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
30.8%
Charleston
28.7%
Charleston +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
9.6%
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Carmel
12.5%
Carmel +
Charleston
15.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Carmel
4.4%
Carmel +
Charleston
8.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Carmel
16.2%
Carmel +
Charleston
22.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Carmel
8.2%
Carmel +
Charleston
9.5%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.8% | 28.7% | Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 9.5% | Charleston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.5% | 15.1% | Carmel + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 4.4% | 8.7% | Carmel + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 22.9% | Carmel + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 9.5% | Carmel + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
51.6°F
Carmel +
Charleston
65.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
42.2 in
Carmel +
Charleston
51.0 in
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 65.9°F | Carmel + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.2 in | 51.0 in | Carmel + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Carmel
10.1 µg/m³
Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Charleston +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Carmel
55.0%
Charleston
75.0%
Charleston +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Charleston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Charleston + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Carmel
26.4 min
Charleston
25.4 min
Charleston +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.4 min | 25.4 min | Charleston + |
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 398 in Charleston. Carmel has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Charleston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Charleston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.7%.
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