Carmel IN vs Flint MI — 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%
Flint, MI
Michigan · Population: 80,835
- Median HH Income$36,194
- Median Home Price$65,949
- Unemployment17.4%
- Bachelor's+13.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Carmel
100,501
Carmel +
Flint
80,835
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Carmel
N/A
Flint
N/A
Median Age
Carmel
40.5
Flint
36.2
Flint +
Foreign Born
Carmel
12.9%
Carmel +
Flint
2.9%
White
Carmel
77.5%
Carmel +
Flint
34.4%
Black
Carmel
3.7%
Flint
56.6%
Flint +
Asian
Carmel
11.6%
Carmel +
Flint
0.6%
Hispanic
Carmel
5.0%
Carmel +
Flint
4.5%
Spanish at Home
Carmel
N/A
Flint
N/A
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,501 | 80,835 | Carmel + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.5 | 36.2 | Flint + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 2.9% | Carmel + |
| White | 77.5% | 34.4% | Carmel + |
| Black | 3.7% | 56.6% | Flint + |
| Asian | 11.6% | 0.6% | Carmel + |
| Hispanic | 5.0% | 4.5% | Carmel + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Carmel
$134,602
Carmel +
Flint
$36,194
Per Capita Income
Carmel
$71,546
Carmel +
Flint
$20,799
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Carmel
$58,697
Carmel +
Flint
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Carmel
2.7%
Carmel +
Flint
17.4%
Poverty Rate
Carmel
3.7%
Carmel +
Flint
34.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Carmel
74.5%
Carmel +
Flint
13.1%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $134,602 | $36,194 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Income | $71,546 | $20,799 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $58,052 | Carmel + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 17.4% | Carmel + |
| Poverty Rate | 3.7% | 34.4% | Carmel + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 74.5% | 13.1% | Carmel + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Carmel
$570,592
Flint
$65,949
Flint +
Homeownership Rate
Carmel
74.6%
Carmel +
Flint
54.9%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $570,592 | $65,949 | Flint + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.6% | 54.9% | Carmel + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
370
Carmel +
Flint
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
1719
Flint
1590
Flint +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 471 | Carmel + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1590 | Flint + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
30.8%
Carmel +
Flint
50.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
9.6%
Carmel +
Flint
19.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Carmel
12.5%
Carmel +
Flint
23.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Carmel
4.4%
Carmel +
Flint
11.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Carmel
16.2%
Flint
12.2%
Flint +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Carmel
8.2%
Carmel +
Flint
25.3%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.8% | 50.5% | Carmel + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 19.3% | Carmel + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.5% | 23.5% | Carmel + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 4.4% | 11.7% | Carmel + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 12.2% | Flint + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 25.3% | Carmel + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
51.6°F
Flint
47.0°F
Flint +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
42.2 in
Flint
31.7 in
Flint +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 47.0°F | Flint + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.2 in | 31.7 in | Flint + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Carmel
10.1 µg/m³
Carmel +
Flint
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Carmel
55.0%
Flint
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Carmel + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Carmel
26.4 min
Flint
25.0 min
Flint +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.4 min | 25.0 min | Flint + |
Which City is Right for You?
Carmel leads in median household income at $134,602, while flint offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $65,949. On public safety, Carmel is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Flint. 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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