Carmel IN vs Hartford CT — 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%
Hartford, CT
Connecticut · Population: 119,970
- Median HH Income$45,300
- Median Home Price$199,359
- Unemployment10.6%
- Bachelor's+18.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Carmel
100,501
Hartford
119,970
Hartford +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Carmel
N/A
Hartford
N/A
Median Age
Carmel
40.5
Hartford
33.4
Hartford +
Foreign Born
Carmel
12.9%
Hartford
23.0%
Hartford +
White
Carmel
77.5%
Carmel +
Hartford
26.4%
Black
Carmel
3.7%
Hartford
36.1%
Hartford +
Asian
Carmel
11.6%
Carmel +
Hartford
2.3%
Hispanic
Carmel
5.0%
Hartford
44.8%
Hartford +
Spanish at Home
Carmel
N/A
Hartford
N/A
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,501 | 119,970 | Hartford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.5 | 33.4 | Hartford + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 23.0% | Hartford + |
| White | 77.5% | 26.4% | Carmel + |
| Black | 3.7% | 36.1% | Hartford + |
| Asian | 11.6% | 2.3% | Carmel + |
| Hispanic | 5.0% | 44.8% | Hartford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Carmel
$134,602
Carmel +
Hartford
$45,300
Per Capita Income
Carmel
$71,546
Carmel +
Hartford
$27,319
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Carmel
$58,697
Hartford
$85,393
Hartford +
Unemployment Rate
Carmel
2.7%
Carmel +
Hartford
10.6%
Poverty Rate
Carmel
3.7%
Carmel +
Hartford
25.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Carmel
74.5%
Carmel +
Hartford
18.3%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $134,602 | $45,300 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Income | $71,546 | $27,319 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $85,393 | Hartford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 10.6% | Carmel + |
| Poverty Rate | 3.7% | 25.5% | Carmel + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 74.5% | 18.3% | Carmel + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Carmel
$570,592
Hartford
$199,359
Hartford +
Homeownership Rate
Carmel
74.6%
Carmel +
Hartford
25.8%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $570,592 | $199,359 | Hartford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.6% | 25.8% | Carmel + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
370
Hartford
156
Hartford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
1719
Hartford
1524
Hartford +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 156 | Hartford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1524 | Hartford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
30.8%
Carmel +
Hartford
40.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
9.6%
Carmel +
Hartford
15.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Carmel
12.5%
Carmel +
Hartford
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Carmel
4.4%
Carmel +
Hartford
20.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Carmel
16.2%
Hartford
13.7%
Hartford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Carmel
8.2%
Carmel +
Hartford
16.3%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.8% | 40.4% | Carmel + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 15.8% | Carmel + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.5% | 20.8% | Carmel + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 4.4% | 20.3% | Carmel + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 13.7% | Hartford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 16.3% | Carmel + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
51.6°F
Hartford
50.6°F
Hartford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
42.2 in
Carmel +
Hartford
45.9 in
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 50.6°F | Hartford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.2 in | 45.9 in | Carmel + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Carmel
10.1 µg/m³
Hartford
7.7 µg/m³
Hartford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Carmel
55.0%
Hartford
75.0%
Hartford +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Hartford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Hartford + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Carmel
26.4 min
Hartford
24.4 min
Hartford +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.4 min | 24.4 min | Hartford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Carmel leads in median household income at $134,602, while hartford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $199,359. On public safety, Hartford is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in Carmel. Carmel has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Hartford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Carmel scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.8%.
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