Carmel IN vs Denver CO — 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%
Denver, CO
Colorado · Population: 713,734
- Median HH Income$91,681
- Median Home Price$541,899
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+55.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Carmel
100,501
Denver
713,734
Denver +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Carmel
N/A
Denver
N/A
Median Age
Carmel
40.5
Denver
35.2
Denver +
Foreign Born
Carmel
12.9%
Denver
13.9%
Denver +
White
Carmel
77.5%
Carmel +
Denver
62.9%
Black
Carmel
3.7%
Denver
8.8%
Denver +
Asian
Carmel
11.6%
Carmel +
Denver
3.6%
Hispanic
Carmel
5.0%
Denver
27.9%
Denver +
Spanish at Home
Carmel
N/A
Denver
N/A
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,501 | 713,734 | Denver + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.5 | 35.2 | Denver + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 13.9% | Denver + |
| White | 77.5% | 62.9% | Carmel + |
| Black | 3.7% | 8.8% | Denver + |
| Asian | 11.6% | 3.6% | Carmel + |
| Hispanic | 5.0% | 27.9% | Denver + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Carmel
$134,602
Carmel +
Denver
$91,681
Per Capita Income
Carmel
$71,546
Carmel +
Denver
$61,202
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Carmel
$58,697
Denver
$76,653
Denver +
Unemployment Rate
Carmel
2.7%
Carmel +
Denver
4.6%
Poverty Rate
Carmel
3.7%
Carmel +
Denver
11.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Carmel
74.5%
Carmel +
Denver
55.6%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $134,602 | $91,681 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Income | $71,546 | $61,202 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $76,653 | Denver + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 4.6% | Carmel + |
| Poverty Rate | 3.7% | 11.2% | Carmel + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 74.5% | 55.6% | Carmel + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Carmel
$570,592
Denver
$541,899
Denver +
Homeownership Rate
Carmel
74.6%
Carmel +
Denver
49.1%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $570,592 | $541,899 | Denver + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.6% | 49.1% | Carmel + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
370
Carmel +
Denver
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
1719
Carmel +
Denver
3234
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 512 | Carmel + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 3234 | Carmel + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
30.8%
Denver
21.6%
Denver +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
9.6%
Denver
7.1%
Denver +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Carmel
12.5%
Carmel +
Denver
15.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Carmel
4.4%
Carmel +
Denver
13.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Carmel
16.2%
Carmel +
Denver
25.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Carmel
8.2%
Carmel +
Denver
10.2%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.8% | 21.6% | Denver + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 7.1% | Denver + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.5% | 15.5% | Carmel + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 4.4% | 13.3% | Carmel + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 25.9% | Carmel + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 10.2% | Carmel + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
51.6°F
Denver
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
42.2 in
Denver
17.2 in
Denver +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.2 in | 17.2 in | Denver + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Carmel
10.1 µg/m³
Denver
6.2 µg/m³
Denver +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Carmel
55.0%
Denver
75.0%
Denver +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Denver + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Denver + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Carmel
26.4 min
Carmel +
Denver
27.4 min
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.4 min | 27.4 min | Carmel + |
Which City is Right for You?
Carmel leads in median household income at $134,602, while denver offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $541,899. On public safety, Carmel is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Denver. Carmel has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Denver has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Denver scores better with a lower obesity rate of 21.6%.
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