Carmel IN vs Grand Island NE — 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%
Grand Island, NE
Nebraska · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$254,245
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Carmel
100,501
Grand Island
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Carmel
N/A
Grand Island
N/A
Median Age
Carmel
40.5
Grand Island
N/A
Foreign Born
Carmel
12.9%
Grand Island
N/A
White
Carmel
77.5%
Grand Island
N/A
Black
Carmel
3.7%
Grand Island
N/A
Asian
Carmel
11.6%
Grand Island
N/A
Hispanic
Carmel
5.0%
Grand Island
N/A
Spanish at Home
Carmel
N/A
Grand Island
N/A
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Grand Island, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,501 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.5 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | N/A | - |
| White | 77.5% | N/A | - |
| Black | 3.7% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 11.6% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 5.0% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Carmel
$134,602
Grand Island
N/A
Per Capita Income
Carmel
$71,546
Grand Island
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Carmel
$58,697
Grand Island
$66,354
Grand Island +
Unemployment Rate
Carmel
2.7%
Grand Island
N/A
Poverty Rate
Carmel
3.7%
Grand Island
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Carmel
74.5%
Grand Island
N/A
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Grand Island, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $134,602 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $71,546 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $66,354 | Grand Island + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 3.7% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 74.5% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Carmel
$570,592
Grand Island
$254,245
Grand Island +
Homeownership Rate
Carmel
74.6%
Grand Island
N/A
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Grand Island, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $570,592 | $254,245 | Grand Island + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.6% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
370
Grand Island
294
Grand Island +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
1719
Carmel +
Grand Island
1960
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Grand Island, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 294 | Grand Island + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1960 | Carmel + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
30.8%
Carmel +
Grand Island
41.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
9.6%
Carmel +
Grand Island
11.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Carmel
12.5%
Carmel +
Grand Island
14.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Carmel
4.4%
Carmel +
Grand Island
17.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Carmel
16.2%
Carmel +
Grand Island
19.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Carmel
8.2%
Carmel +
Grand Island
14.8%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Grand Island, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.8% | 41.5% | Carmel + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 11.6% | Carmel + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.5% | 14.4% | Carmel + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 4.4% | 17.5% | Carmel + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 19.1% | Carmel + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 14.8% | Carmel + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
51.6°F
Grand Island
50.8°F
Grand Island +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
42.2 in
Grand Island
26.7 in
Grand Island +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Grand Island, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 50.8°F | Grand Island + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.2 in | 26.7 in | Grand Island + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Carmel
10.1 µg/m³
Grand Island
7.6 µg/m³
Grand Island +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Carmel
55.0%
Grand Island
75.0%
Grand Island +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Grand Island, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Grand Island + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Grand Island + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Carmel
26.4 min
Grand Island
N/A
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Grand Island, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.4 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Grand Island offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $254,245. On public safety, Grand Island is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in Carmel. Grand Island has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Carmel scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.8%.
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