Carmel IN vs Fort Lauderdale FL — 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%
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Florida · Population: 183,032
- Median HH Income$79,935
- Median Home Price$510,297
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+39.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Carmel
100,501
Fort Lauderdale
183,032
Fort Lauderdale +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Carmel
N/A
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Median Age
Carmel
40.5
Carmel +
Fort Lauderdale
42.9
Foreign Born
Carmel
12.9%
Fort Lauderdale
26.7%
Fort Lauderdale +
White
Carmel
77.5%
Carmel +
Fort Lauderdale
51.3%
Black
Carmel
3.7%
Fort Lauderdale
28.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Asian
Carmel
11.6%
Carmel +
Fort Lauderdale
1.6%
Hispanic
Carmel
5.0%
Fort Lauderdale
20.1%
Fort Lauderdale +
Spanish at Home
Carmel
N/A
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,501 | 183,032 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.5 | 42.9 | Carmel + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 26.7% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| White | 77.5% | 51.3% | Carmel + |
| Black | 3.7% | 28.8% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Asian | 11.6% | 1.6% | Carmel + |
| Hispanic | 5.0% | 20.1% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Carmel
$134,602
Carmel +
Fort Lauderdale
$79,935
Per Capita Income
Carmel
$71,546
Carmel +
Fort Lauderdale
$57,845
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Carmel
$58,697
Fort Lauderdale
$65,328
Fort Lauderdale +
Unemployment Rate
Carmel
2.7%
Carmel +
Fort Lauderdale
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Carmel
3.7%
Carmel +
Fort Lauderdale
15.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Carmel
74.5%
Carmel +
Fort Lauderdale
39.8%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $134,602 | $79,935 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Income | $71,546 | $57,845 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $65,328 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 5.3% | Carmel + |
| Poverty Rate | 3.7% | 15.2% | Carmel + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 74.5% | 39.8% | Carmel + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Carmel
$570,592
Fort Lauderdale
$510,297
Fort Lauderdale +
Homeownership Rate
Carmel
74.6%
Carmel +
Fort Lauderdale
53.8%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $570,592 | $510,297 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.6% | 53.8% | Carmel + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
370
Fort Lauderdale
324
Fort Lauderdale +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
1719
Fort Lauderdale
1453
Fort Lauderdale +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 324 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1453 | Fort Lauderdale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
30.8%
Fort Lauderdale
30.3%
Fort Lauderdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
9.6%
Carmel +
Fort Lauderdale
12.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Carmel
12.5%
Carmel +
Fort Lauderdale
16.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Carmel
4.4%
Carmel +
Fort Lauderdale
14.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Carmel
16.2%
Fort Lauderdale
14.9%
Fort Lauderdale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Carmel
8.2%
Carmel +
Fort Lauderdale
13.0%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.8% | 30.3% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 12.8% | Carmel + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.5% | 16.2% | Carmel + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 4.4% | 14.7% | Carmel + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 14.9% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 13.0% | Carmel + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
51.6°F
Carmel +
Fort Lauderdale
75.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
42.2 in
Carmel +
Fort Lauderdale
66.5 in
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 75.5°F | Carmel + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.2 in | 66.5 in | Carmel + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Carmel
10.1 µg/m³
Fort Lauderdale
7.2 µg/m³
Fort Lauderdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Carmel
55.0%
Fort Lauderdale
75.0%
Fort Lauderdale +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Carmel
26.4 min
Carmel +
Fort Lauderdale
28.5 min
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.4 min | 28.5 min | Carmel + |
Which City is Right for You?
Carmel leads in median household income at $134,602, while fort Lauderdale offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $510,297. On public safety, Fort Lauderdale is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in Carmel. Carmel has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Fort Lauderdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Lauderdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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