Carmel IN vs Davenport IA — 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%
Davenport, IA
Iowa · Population: 101,083
- Median HH Income$64,497
- Median Home Price$191,117
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+30.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Carmel
100,501
Davenport
101,083
Davenport +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Carmel
N/A
Davenport
N/A
Median Age
Carmel
40.5
Davenport
37.8
Davenport +
Foreign Born
Carmel
12.9%
Carmel +
Davenport
4.6%
White
Carmel
77.5%
Carmel +
Davenport
75.9%
Black
Carmel
3.7%
Davenport
11.2%
Davenport +
Asian
Carmel
11.6%
Carmel +
Davenport
1.9%
Hispanic
Carmel
5.0%
Davenport
9.1%
Davenport +
Spanish at Home
Carmel
N/A
Davenport
N/A
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Davenport, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,501 | 101,083 | Davenport + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.5 | 37.8 | Davenport + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 4.6% | Carmel + |
| White | 77.5% | 75.9% | Carmel + |
| Black | 3.7% | 11.2% | Davenport + |
| Asian | 11.6% | 1.9% | Carmel + |
| Hispanic | 5.0% | 9.1% | Davenport + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Carmel
$134,602
Carmel +
Davenport
$64,497
Per Capita Income
Carmel
$71,546
Carmel +
Davenport
$36,583
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Carmel
$58,697
Davenport
$61,226
Davenport +
Unemployment Rate
Carmel
2.7%
Carmel +
Davenport
4.8%
Poverty Rate
Carmel
3.7%
Carmel +
Davenport
15.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Carmel
74.5%
Carmel +
Davenport
30.0%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Davenport, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $134,602 | $64,497 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Income | $71,546 | $36,583 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $61,226 | Davenport + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 4.8% | Carmel + |
| Poverty Rate | 3.7% | 15.6% | Carmel + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 74.5% | 30.0% | Carmel + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Carmel
$570,592
Davenport
$191,117
Davenport +
Homeownership Rate
Carmel
74.6%
Carmel +
Davenport
63.0%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Davenport, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $570,592 | $191,117 | Davenport + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.6% | 63.0% | Carmel + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
370
Davenport
296
Davenport +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
1719
Davenport
1452
Davenport +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Davenport, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 296 | Davenport + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1452 | Davenport + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
30.8%
Carmel +
Davenport
42.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
9.6%
Carmel +
Davenport
11.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Carmel
12.5%
Carmel +
Davenport
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Carmel
4.4%
Carmel +
Davenport
8.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Carmel
16.2%
Carmel +
Davenport
21.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Carmel
8.2%
Carmel +
Davenport
16.2%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Davenport, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.8% | 42.6% | Carmel + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 11.7% | Carmel + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.5% | 17.8% | Carmel + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 4.4% | 8.2% | Carmel + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 21.1% | Carmel + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 16.2% | Carmel + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
51.6°F
Davenport
49.3°F
Davenport +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
42.2 in
Davenport
36.0 in
Davenport +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Davenport, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 49.3°F | Davenport + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.2 in | 36.0 in | Davenport + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Carmel
10.1 µg/m³
Carmel +
Davenport
10.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Carmel
55.0%
Davenport
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Davenport, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 10.2 µg/m³ | Carmel + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Carmel
26.4 min
Davenport
20.4 min
Davenport +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Davenport, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.4 min | 20.4 min | Davenport + |
Which City is Right for You?
Carmel leads in median household income at $134,602, while davenport offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $191,117. On public safety, Davenport is safer with a violent crime rate of 296 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%.
Compare More Cities
Carmel, IN vs New York, NYCarmel, IN vs Los Angeles, CACarmel, IN vs Chicago, ILCarmel, IN vs Houston, TXCarmel, IN vs Phoenix, AZCarmel, IN vs Philadelphia, PA