Carmel IN vs Elk Grove CA — 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%
Elk Grove, CA
California · Population: 177,221
- Median HH Income$122,229
- Median Home Price$637,623
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+38.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Carmel
100,501
Elk Grove
177,221
Elk Grove +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Carmel
N/A
Elk Grove
N/A
Median Age
Carmel
40.5
Elk Grove
39.0
Elk Grove +
Foreign Born
Carmel
12.9%
Elk Grove
25.0%
Elk Grove +
White
Carmel
77.5%
Carmel +
Elk Grove
34.9%
Black
Carmel
3.7%
Elk Grove
10.9%
Elk Grove +
Asian
Carmel
11.6%
Elk Grove
31.8%
Elk Grove +
Hispanic
Carmel
5.0%
Elk Grove
18.0%
Elk Grove +
Spanish at Home
Carmel
N/A
Elk Grove
N/A
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Elk Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,501 | 177,221 | Elk Grove + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.5 | 39.0 | Elk Grove + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 25.0% | Elk Grove + |
| White | 77.5% | 34.9% | Carmel + |
| Black | 3.7% | 10.9% | Elk Grove + |
| Asian | 11.6% | 31.8% | Elk Grove + |
| Hispanic | 5.0% | 18.0% | Elk Grove + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Carmel
$134,602
Carmel +
Elk Grove
$122,229
Per Capita Income
Carmel
$71,546
Carmel +
Elk Grove
$44,932
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Carmel
$58,697
Elk Grove
$77,230
Elk Grove +
Unemployment Rate
Carmel
2.7%
Carmel +
Elk Grove
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Carmel
3.7%
Carmel +
Elk Grove
7.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Carmel
74.5%
Carmel +
Elk Grove
38.0%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Elk Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $134,602 | $122,229 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Income | $71,546 | $44,932 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $77,230 | Elk Grove + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 6.7% | Carmel + |
| Poverty Rate | 3.7% | 7.4% | Carmel + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 74.5% | 38.0% | Carmel + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Carmel
$570,592
Carmel +
Elk Grove
$637,623
Homeownership Rate
Carmel
74.6%
Carmel +
Elk Grove
73.9%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Elk Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $570,592 | $637,623 | Carmel + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.6% | 73.9% | Carmel + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
370
Carmel +
Elk Grove
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
1719
Carmel +
Elk Grove
2388
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Elk Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 503 | Carmel + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 2388 | Carmel + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
30.8%
Elk Grove
26.2%
Elk Grove +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
9.6%
Carmel +
Elk Grove
10.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Carmel
12.5%
Carmel +
Elk Grove
15.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Carmel
4.4%
Carmel +
Elk Grove
6.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Carmel
16.2%
Elk Grove
13.2%
Elk Grove +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Carmel
8.2%
Carmel +
Elk Grove
10.1%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Elk Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.8% | 26.2% | Elk Grove + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 10.9% | Carmel + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.5% | 15.9% | Carmel + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 4.4% | 6.7% | Carmel + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 13.2% | Elk Grove + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 10.1% | Carmel + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
51.6°F
Elk Grove
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
42.2 in
Elk Grove
N/A
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Elk Grove, CA | 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
Elk Grove
7.9 µg/m³
Elk Grove +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Carmel
55.0%
Elk Grove
75.0%
Elk Grove +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Elk Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Elk Grove + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Elk Grove + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Carmel
26.4 min
Carmel +
Elk Grove
33.7 min
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Elk Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.4 min | 33.7 min | Carmel + |
Which City is Right for You?
Carmel leads in median household income at $134,602, while carmel offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $570,592. On public safety, Carmel is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Elk Grove. Carmel has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Elk Grove has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Elk Grove scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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