Carmel IN vs Cleveland OH — 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%
Cleveland, OH
Ohio · Population: 367,523
- Median HH Income$39,187
- Median Home Price$117,703
- Unemployment11.5%
- Bachelor's+21.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Carmel
100,501
Cleveland
367,523
Cleveland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Carmel
N/A
Cleveland
N/A
Median Age
Carmel
40.5
Cleveland
36.3
Cleveland +
Foreign Born
Carmel
12.9%
Carmel +
Cleveland
6.1%
White
Carmel
77.5%
Carmel +
Cleveland
36.7%
Black
Carmel
3.7%
Cleveland
46.8%
Cleveland +
Asian
Carmel
11.6%
Carmel +
Cleveland
2.3%
Hispanic
Carmel
5.0%
Cleveland
12.8%
Cleveland +
Spanish at Home
Carmel
N/A
Cleveland
N/A
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Cleveland, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,501 | 367,523 | Cleveland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.5 | 36.3 | Cleveland + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 6.1% | Carmel + |
| White | 77.5% | 36.7% | Carmel + |
| Black | 3.7% | 46.8% | Cleveland + |
| Asian | 11.6% | 2.3% | Carmel + |
| Hispanic | 5.0% | 12.8% | Cleveland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Carmel
$134,602
Carmel +
Cleveland
$39,187
Per Capita Income
Carmel
$71,546
Carmel +
Cleveland
$27,078
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Carmel
$58,697
Carmel +
Cleveland
$58,300
Unemployment Rate
Carmel
2.7%
Carmel +
Cleveland
11.5%
Poverty Rate
Carmel
3.7%
Carmel +
Cleveland
30.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Carmel
74.5%
Carmel +
Cleveland
21.3%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Cleveland, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $134,602 | $39,187 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Income | $71,546 | $27,078 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $58,300 | Carmel + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 11.5% | Carmel + |
| Poverty Rate | 3.7% | 30.8% | Carmel + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 74.5% | 21.3% | Carmel + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Carmel
$570,592
Cleveland
$117,703
Cleveland +
Homeownership Rate
Carmel
74.6%
Carmel +
Cleveland
41.2%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Cleveland, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $570,592 | $117,703 | Cleveland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.6% | 41.2% | Carmel + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
370
Cleveland
319
Cleveland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
1719
Carmel +
Cleveland
1866
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Cleveland, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 319 | Cleveland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1866 | Carmel + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
30.8%
Carmel +
Cleveland
42.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
9.6%
Carmel +
Cleveland
17.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Carmel
12.5%
Carmel +
Cleveland
19.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Carmel
4.4%
Carmel +
Cleveland
13.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Carmel
16.2%
Cleveland
16.2%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Carmel
8.2%
Carmel +
Cleveland
21.5%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Cleveland, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.8% | 42.2% | Carmel + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 17.7% | Carmel + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.5% | 19.6% | Carmel + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 4.4% | 13.4% | Carmel + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 16.2% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 21.5% | Carmel + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
51.6°F
Carmel +
Cleveland
52.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
42.2 in
Cleveland
36.4 in
Cleveland +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Cleveland, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 52.7°F | Carmel + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.2 in | 36.4 in | Cleveland + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Carmel
10.1 µg/m³
Carmel +
Cleveland
10.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Carmel
55.0%
Cleveland
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Cleveland, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 10.3 µg/m³ | Carmel + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Carmel
26.4 min
Cleveland
24.3 min
Cleveland +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Cleveland, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.4 min | 24.3 min | Cleveland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Carmel leads in median household income at $134,602, while cleveland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $117,703. On public safety, Cleveland is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in Carmel. Carmel has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Carmel has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 10.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Carmel scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.8%.
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