Carmel IN vs Eden Prairie MN — 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%
Eden Prairie, MN
Minnesota · Population: 63,249
- Median HH Income$127,732
- Median Home Price$505,908
- Unemployment3.3%
- Bachelor's+64.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Carmel
100,501
Carmel +
Eden Prairie
63,249
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Carmel
N/A
Eden Prairie
N/A
Median Age
Carmel
40.5
Eden Prairie
40.5
Tie
Foreign Born
Carmel
12.9%
Eden Prairie
16.6%
Eden Prairie +
White
Carmel
77.5%
Carmel +
Eden Prairie
69.5%
Black
Carmel
3.7%
Eden Prairie
7.1%
Eden Prairie +
Asian
Carmel
11.6%
Eden Prairie
13.6%
Eden Prairie +
Hispanic
Carmel
5.0%
Eden Prairie
5.1%
Eden Prairie +
Spanish at Home
Carmel
N/A
Eden Prairie
N/A
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Eden Prairie, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,501 | 63,249 | Carmel + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.5 | 40.5 | Tie |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 16.6% | Eden Prairie + |
| White | 77.5% | 69.5% | Carmel + |
| Black | 3.7% | 7.1% | Eden Prairie + |
| Asian | 11.6% | 13.6% | Eden Prairie + |
| Hispanic | 5.0% | 5.1% | Eden Prairie + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Carmel
$134,602
Carmel +
Eden Prairie
$127,732
Per Capita Income
Carmel
$71,546
Carmel +
Eden Prairie
$70,228
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Carmel
$58,697
Eden Prairie
$69,467
Eden Prairie +
Unemployment Rate
Carmel
2.7%
Carmel +
Eden Prairie
3.3%
Poverty Rate
Carmel
3.7%
Carmel +
Eden Prairie
6.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Carmel
74.5%
Carmel +
Eden Prairie
64.7%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Eden Prairie, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $134,602 | $127,732 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Income | $71,546 | $70,228 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $69,467 | Eden Prairie + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 3.3% | Carmel + |
| Poverty Rate | 3.7% | 6.0% | Carmel + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 74.5% | 64.7% | Carmel + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Carmel
$570,592
Eden Prairie
$505,908
Eden Prairie +
Homeownership Rate
Carmel
74.6%
Eden Prairie
75.6%
Eden Prairie +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Eden Prairie, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $570,592 | $505,908 | Eden Prairie + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.6% | 75.6% | Eden Prairie + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
370
Eden Prairie
284
Eden Prairie +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
1719
Carmel +
Eden Prairie
1992
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Eden Prairie, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 284 | Eden Prairie + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1992 | Carmel + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
30.8%
Eden Prairie
24.3%
Eden Prairie +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
9.6%
Eden Prairie
7.3%
Eden Prairie +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Carmel
12.5%
Carmel +
Eden Prairie
12.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Carmel
4.4%
Carmel +
Eden Prairie
5.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Carmel
16.2%
Carmel +
Eden Prairie
18.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Carmel
8.2%
Carmel +
Eden Prairie
9.0%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Eden Prairie, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.8% | 24.3% | Eden Prairie + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 7.3% | Eden Prairie + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.5% | 12.9% | Carmel + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 4.4% | 5.6% | Carmel + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 18.2% | Carmel + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 9.0% | Carmel + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
51.6°F
Eden Prairie
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
42.2 in
Eden Prairie
N/A
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Eden Prairie, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.2 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Carmel
10.1 µg/m³
Eden Prairie
8.1 µg/m³
Eden Prairie +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Carmel
55.0%
Eden Prairie
75.0%
Eden Prairie +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Eden Prairie, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Eden Prairie + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Eden Prairie + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Carmel
26.4 min
Eden Prairie
23.7 min
Eden Prairie +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Eden Prairie, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.4 min | 23.7 min | Eden Prairie + |
Which City is Right for You?
Carmel leads in median household income at $134,602, while eden Prairie offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $505,908. On public safety, Eden Prairie is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in Carmel. Carmel has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Eden Prairie has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Eden Prairie scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.3%.
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