Carmel IN vs Des Moines 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%
Des Moines, IA
Iowa · Population: 212,464
- Median HH Income$63,966
- Median Home Price$210,703
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+29.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Carmel
100,501
Des Moines
212,464
Des Moines +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Carmel
N/A
Des Moines
N/A
Median Age
Carmel
40.5
Des Moines
34.6
Des Moines +
Foreign Born
Carmel
12.9%
Des Moines
14.0%
Des Moines +
White
Carmel
77.5%
Carmel +
Des Moines
66.9%
Black
Carmel
3.7%
Des Moines
12.0%
Des Moines +
Asian
Carmel
11.6%
Carmel +
Des Moines
6.2%
Hispanic
Carmel
5.0%
Des Moines
16.0%
Des Moines +
Spanish at Home
Carmel
N/A
Des Moines
N/A
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,501 | 212,464 | Des Moines + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.5 | 34.6 | Des Moines + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 14.0% | Des Moines + |
| White | 77.5% | 66.9% | Carmel + |
| Black | 3.7% | 12.0% | Des Moines + |
| Asian | 11.6% | 6.2% | Carmel + |
| Hispanic | 5.0% | 16.0% | Des Moines + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Carmel
$134,602
Carmel +
Des Moines
$63,966
Per Capita Income
Carmel
$71,546
Carmel +
Des Moines
$36,459
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Carmel
$58,697
Des Moines
$61,226
Des Moines +
Unemployment Rate
Carmel
2.7%
Carmel +
Des Moines
5.8%
Poverty Rate
Carmel
3.7%
Carmel +
Des Moines
14.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Carmel
74.5%
Carmel +
Des Moines
29.0%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $134,602 | $63,966 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Income | $71,546 | $36,459 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $61,226 | Des Moines + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 5.8% | Carmel + |
| Poverty Rate | 3.7% | 14.9% | Carmel + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 74.5% | 29.0% | Carmel + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Carmel
$570,592
Des Moines
$210,703
Des Moines +
Homeownership Rate
Carmel
74.6%
Carmel +
Des Moines
60.5%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $570,592 | $210,703 | Des Moines + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.6% | 60.5% | Carmel + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
370
Des Moines
296
Des Moines +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
1719
Des Moines
1452
Des Moines +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 296 | Des Moines + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1452 | Des Moines + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
30.8%
Carmel +
Des Moines
39.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
9.6%
Carmel +
Des Moines
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Carmel
12.5%
Carmel +
Des Moines
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Carmel
4.4%
Carmel +
Des Moines
10.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Carmel
16.2%
Carmel +
Des Moines
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Carmel
8.2%
Carmel +
Des Moines
16.4%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.8% | 39.4% | Carmel + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 11.8% | Carmel + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.5% | 19.0% | Carmel + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 4.4% | 10.6% | Carmel + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 19.8% | Carmel + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 16.4% | Carmel + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
51.6°F
Des Moines
49.9°F
Des Moines +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
42.2 in
Des Moines
35.6 in
Des Moines +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 49.9°F | Des Moines + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.2 in | 35.6 in | Des Moines + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Carmel
10.1 µg/m³
Carmel +
Des Moines
10.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Carmel
55.0%
Des Moines
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Des Moines, 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
Des Moines
21.1 min
Des Moines +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.4 min | 21.1 min | Des Moines + |
Which City is Right for You?
Carmel leads in median household income at $134,602, while des Moines offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,703. On public safety, Des Moines 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%.
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