Carmel IN vs Columbia MO — 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%
Columbia, MO
Missouri · Population: 127,200
- Median HH Income$64,488
- Median Home Price$323,876
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+56.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Carmel
100,501
Columbia
127,200
Columbia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Carmel
N/A
Columbia
N/A
Median Age
Carmel
40.5
Columbia
29.2
Columbia +
Foreign Born
Carmel
12.9%
Carmel +
Columbia
8.1%
White
Carmel
77.5%
Carmel +
Columbia
74.3%
Black
Carmel
3.7%
Columbia
12.1%
Columbia +
Asian
Carmel
11.6%
Carmel +
Columbia
6.1%
Hispanic
Carmel
5.0%
Carmel +
Columbia
4.3%
Spanish at Home
Carmel
N/A
Columbia
N/A
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,501 | 127,200 | Columbia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.5 | 29.2 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 8.1% | Carmel + |
| White | 77.5% | 74.3% | Carmel + |
| Black | 3.7% | 12.1% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 11.6% | 6.1% | Carmel + |
| Hispanic | 5.0% | 4.3% | Carmel + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Carmel
$134,602
Carmel +
Columbia
$64,488
Per Capita Income
Carmel
$71,546
Carmel +
Columbia
$37,359
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Carmel
$58,697
Carmel +
Columbia
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Carmel
2.7%
Carmel +
Columbia
3.9%
Poverty Rate
Carmel
3.7%
Carmel +
Columbia
20.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Carmel
74.5%
Carmel +
Columbia
56.5%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $134,602 | $64,488 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Income | $71,546 | $37,359 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $58,527 | Carmel + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 3.9% | Carmel + |
| Poverty Rate | 3.7% | 20.0% | Carmel + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 74.5% | 56.5% | Carmel + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Carmel
$570,592
Columbia
$323,876
Columbia +
Homeownership Rate
Carmel
74.6%
Carmel +
Columbia
49.4%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $570,592 | $323,876 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.6% | 49.4% | Carmel + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
370
Carmel +
Columbia
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
1719
Carmel +
Columbia
2418
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 501 | Carmel + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 2418 | Carmel + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
30.8%
Columbia
30.1%
Columbia +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
9.6%
Columbia
8.5%
Columbia +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Carmel
12.5%
Carmel +
Columbia
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Carmel
4.4%
Carmel +
Columbia
8.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Carmel
16.2%
Carmel +
Columbia
18.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Carmel
8.2%
Carmel +
Columbia
12.4%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.8% | 30.1% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 8.5% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.5% | 19.1% | Carmel + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 4.4% | 8.4% | Carmel + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 18.5% | Carmel + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 12.4% | Carmel + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
51.6°F
Carmel +
Columbia
56.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
42.2 in
Carmel +
Columbia
46.3 in
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 56.0°F | Carmel + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.2 in | 46.3 in | Carmel + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Carmel
10.1 µg/m³
Columbia
9.3 µg/m³
Columbia +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Carmel
55.0%
Columbia
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Columbia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Carmel
26.4 min
Columbia
18.2 min
Columbia +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.4 min | 18.2 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Carmel leads in median household income at $134,602, while columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $323,876. On public safety, Carmel is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Columbia. Carmel has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Columbia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Columbia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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