Carmel IN vs Dayton 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%
Dayton, OH
Ohio · Population: 136,741
- Median HH Income$43,454
- Median Home Price$138,867
- Unemployment9.7%
- Bachelor's+20.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Carmel
100,501
Dayton
136,741
Dayton +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Carmel
N/A
Dayton
N/A
Median Age
Carmel
40.5
Dayton
34.2
Dayton +
Foreign Born
Carmel
12.9%
Carmel +
Dayton
5.0%
White
Carmel
77.5%
Carmel +
Dayton
51.3%
Black
Carmel
3.7%
Dayton
38.0%
Dayton +
Asian
Carmel
11.6%
Carmel +
Dayton
1.2%
Hispanic
Carmel
5.0%
Dayton
5.5%
Dayton +
Spanish at Home
Carmel
N/A
Dayton
N/A
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,501 | 136,741 | Dayton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.5 | 34.2 | Dayton + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 5.0% | Carmel + |
| White | 77.5% | 51.3% | Carmel + |
| Black | 3.7% | 38.0% | Dayton + |
| Asian | 11.6% | 1.2% | Carmel + |
| Hispanic | 5.0% | 5.5% | Dayton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Carmel
$134,602
Carmel +
Dayton
$43,454
Per Capita Income
Carmel
$71,546
Carmel +
Dayton
$26,381
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Carmel
$58,697
Carmel +
Dayton
$58,300
Unemployment Rate
Carmel
2.7%
Carmel +
Dayton
9.7%
Poverty Rate
Carmel
3.7%
Carmel +
Dayton
27.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Carmel
74.5%
Carmel +
Dayton
20.7%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $134,602 | $43,454 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Income | $71,546 | $26,381 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $58,300 | Carmel + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 9.7% | Carmel + |
| Poverty Rate | 3.7% | 27.1% | Carmel + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 74.5% | 20.7% | Carmel + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Carmel
$570,592
Dayton
$138,867
Dayton +
Homeownership Rate
Carmel
74.6%
Carmel +
Dayton
48.2%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $570,592 | $138,867 | Dayton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.6% | 48.2% | Carmel + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
370
Dayton
319
Dayton +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
1719
Carmel +
Dayton
1866
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 319 | Dayton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1866 | Carmel + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
30.8%
Carmel +
Dayton
42.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
9.6%
Carmel +
Dayton
17.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Carmel
12.5%
Carmel +
Dayton
21.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Carmel
4.4%
Carmel +
Dayton
11.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Carmel
16.2%
Dayton
14.6%
Dayton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Carmel
8.2%
Carmel +
Dayton
20.5%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.8% | 42.9% | Carmel + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 17.6% | Carmel + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.5% | 21.6% | Carmel + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 4.4% | 11.2% | Carmel + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 14.6% | Dayton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 20.5% | Carmel + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
51.6°F
Carmel +
Dayton
54.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
42.2 in
Dayton
40.3 in
Dayton +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 54.1°F | Carmel + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.2 in | 40.3 in | Dayton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Carmel
10.1 µg/m³
Carmel +
Dayton
10.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Carmel
55.0%
Dayton
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Dayton, 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
Dayton
22.2 min
Dayton +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.4 min | 22.2 min | Dayton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Carmel leads in median household income at $134,602, while dayton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $138,867. On public safety, Dayton 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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