Carmel IN vs Chula Vista CA — 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%
Chula Vista, CA
California · Population: 8,933
- Median HH Income$104,238
- Median Home Price$849,245
- Unemployment2.2%
- Bachelor's+26.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Carmel
100,501
Carmel +
Chula Vista
8,933
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Carmel
N/A
Chula Vista
N/A
Median Age
Carmel
40.5
Carmel +
Chula Vista
42.9
Foreign Born
Carmel
12.9%
Chula Vista
20.0%
Chula Vista +
White
Carmel
77.5%
Carmel +
Chula Vista
65.7%
Black
Carmel
3.7%
Carmel +
Chula Vista
0.7%
Asian
Carmel
11.6%
Carmel +
Chula Vista
0.7%
Hispanic
Carmel
5.0%
Chula Vista
36.5%
Chula Vista +
Spanish at Home
Carmel
N/A
Chula Vista
N/A
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Chula Vista, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,501 | 8,933 | Carmel + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.5 | 42.9 | Carmel + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 20.0% | Chula Vista + |
| White | 77.5% | 65.7% | Carmel + |
| Black | 3.7% | 0.7% | Carmel + |
| Asian | 11.6% | 0.7% | Carmel + |
| Hispanic | 5.0% | 36.5% | Chula Vista + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Carmel
$134,602
Carmel +
Chula Vista
$104,238
Per Capita Income
Carmel
$71,546
Carmel +
Chula Vista
$49,562
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Carmel
$58,697
Chula Vista
$77,230
Chula Vista +
Unemployment Rate
Carmel
2.7%
Chula Vista
2.2%
Chula Vista +
Poverty Rate
Carmel
3.7%
Carmel +
Chula Vista
4.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Carmel
74.5%
Carmel +
Chula Vista
26.9%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Chula Vista, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $134,602 | $104,238 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Income | $71,546 | $49,562 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $77,230 | Chula Vista + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 2.2% | Chula Vista + |
| Poverty Rate | 3.7% | 4.5% | Carmel + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 74.5% | 26.9% | Carmel + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Carmel
$570,592
Carmel +
Chula Vista
$849,245
Homeownership Rate
Carmel
74.6%
Carmel +
Chula Vista
71.4%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Chula Vista, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $570,592 | $849,245 | Carmel + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.6% | 71.4% | Carmel + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
370
Carmel +
Chula Vista
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
1719
Carmel +
Chula Vista
2388
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Chula Vista, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 503 | Carmel + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 2388 | Carmel + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
30.8%
Chula Vista
26.6%
Chula Vista +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
9.6%
Carmel +
Chula Vista
11.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Carmel
12.5%
Carmel +
Chula Vista
16.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Carmel
4.4%
Carmel +
Chula Vista
12.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Carmel
16.2%
Chula Vista
15.7%
Chula Vista +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Carmel
8.2%
Carmel +
Chula Vista
9.6%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Chula Vista, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.8% | 26.6% | Chula Vista + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 11.4% | Carmel + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.5% | 16.0% | Carmel + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 4.4% | 12.4% | Carmel + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 15.7% | Chula Vista + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 9.6% | Carmel + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
51.6°F
Carmel +
Chula Vista
63.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
42.2 in
Chula Vista
9.8 in
Chula Vista +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Chula Vista, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 63.5°F | Carmel + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.2 in | 9.8 in | Chula Vista + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Carmel
10.1 µg/m³
Chula Vista
7.9 µg/m³
Chula Vista +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Carmel
55.0%
Chula Vista
75.0%
Chula Vista +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Chula Vista, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Chula Vista + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Chula Vista + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Carmel
26.4 min
Carmel +
Chula Vista
26.9 min
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Chula Vista, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.4 min | 26.9 min | Carmel + |
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 503 in Chula Vista. Chula Vista has a lower unemployment rate at 2.2%, and Chula Vista has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chula Vista scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.6%.
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