Carmel IN vs Columbus GA — 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%
Columbus, GA
Georgia · Population: 204,383
- Median HH Income$56,622
- Median Home Price$175,194
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+29.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Carmel
100,501
Columbus
204,383
Columbus +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Carmel
N/A
Columbus
N/A
Median Age
Carmel
40.5
Columbus
35.1
Columbus +
Foreign Born
Carmel
12.9%
Carmel +
Columbus
5.3%
White
Carmel
77.5%
Carmel +
Columbus
39.3%
Black
Carmel
3.7%
Columbus
46.7%
Columbus +
Asian
Carmel
11.6%
Carmel +
Columbus
2.6%
Hispanic
Carmel
5.0%
Columbus
8.3%
Columbus +
Spanish at Home
Carmel
N/A
Columbus
N/A
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Columbus, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,501 | 204,383 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.5 | 35.1 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 5.3% | Carmel + |
| White | 77.5% | 39.3% | Carmel + |
| Black | 3.7% | 46.7% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 11.6% | 2.6% | Carmel + |
| Hispanic | 5.0% | 8.3% | Columbus + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Carmel
$134,602
Carmel +
Columbus
$56,622
Per Capita Income
Carmel
$71,546
Carmel +
Columbus
$32,811
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Carmel
$58,697
Carmel +
Columbus
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Carmel
2.7%
Carmel +
Columbus
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Carmel
3.7%
Carmel +
Columbus
18.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Carmel
74.5%
Carmel +
Columbus
29.7%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Columbus, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $134,602 | $56,622 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Income | $71,546 | $32,811 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $57,405 | Carmel + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 6.5% | Carmel + |
| Poverty Rate | 3.7% | 18.8% | Carmel + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 74.5% | 29.7% | Carmel + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Carmel
$570,592
Columbus
$175,194
Columbus +
Homeownership Rate
Carmel
74.6%
Carmel +
Columbus
50.2%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Columbus, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $570,592 | $175,194 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.6% | 50.2% | Carmel + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
370
Carmel +
Columbus
392
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
1719
Carmel +
Columbus
1752
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Columbus, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 392 | Carmel + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1752 | Carmel + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
30.8%
Carmel +
Columbus
40.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
9.6%
Carmel +
Columbus
15.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Carmel
12.5%
Carmel +
Columbus
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Carmel
4.4%
Carmel +
Columbus
14.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Carmel
16.2%
Columbus
13.9%
Columbus +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Carmel
8.2%
Carmel +
Columbus
16.1%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Columbus, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.8% | 40.3% | Carmel + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 15.5% | Carmel + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.5% | 19.1% | Carmel + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 4.4% | 14.8% | Carmel + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 13.9% | Columbus + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 16.1% | Carmel + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
51.6°F
Carmel +
Columbus
64.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
42.2 in
Carmel +
Columbus
49.6 in
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Columbus, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 64.4°F | Carmel + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.2 in | 49.6 in | Carmel + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Carmel
10.1 µg/m³
Columbus
9.8 µg/m³
Columbus +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Carmel
55.0%
Columbus
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Columbus, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Columbus + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Carmel
26.4 min
Columbus
21.6 min
Columbus +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Columbus, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.4 min | 21.6 min | Columbus + |
Which City is Right for You?
Carmel leads in median household income at $134,602, while columbus offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $175,194. On public safety, Carmel is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Columbus. Carmel has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Columbus has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Carmel scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.8%.
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