Carmel IN vs Houston TX — 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%
Houston, TX
Texas · Population: 2,300,419
- Median HH Income$62,894
- Median Home Price$265,062
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Carmel
100,501
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Carmel
N/A
Houston
N/A
Median Age
Carmel
40.5
Houston
34.3
Houston +
Foreign Born
Carmel
12.9%
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
White
Carmel
77.5%
Carmel +
Houston
35.5%
Black
Carmel
3.7%
Houston
22.9%
Houston +
Asian
Carmel
11.6%
Carmel +
Houston
6.9%
Hispanic
Carmel
5.0%
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Spanish at Home
Carmel
N/A
Houston
N/A
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,501 | 2,300,419 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.5 | 34.3 | Houston + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 28.8% | Houston + |
| White | 77.5% | 35.5% | Carmel + |
| Black | 3.7% | 22.9% | Houston + |
| Asian | 11.6% | 6.9% | Carmel + |
| Hispanic | 5.0% | 44.1% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Carmel
$134,602
Carmel +
Houston
$62,894
Per Capita Income
Carmel
$71,546
Carmel +
Houston
$41,142
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Carmel
$58,697
Houston
$63,758
Houston +
Unemployment Rate
Carmel
2.7%
Carmel +
Houston
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Carmel
3.7%
Carmel +
Houston
19.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Carmel
74.5%
Carmel +
Houston
36.0%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $134,602 | $62,894 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Income | $71,546 | $41,142 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $63,758 | Houston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 6.7% | Carmel + |
| Poverty Rate | 3.7% | 19.7% | Carmel + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 74.5% | 36.0% | Carmel + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Carmel
$570,592
Houston
$265,062
Houston +
Homeownership Rate
Carmel
74.6%
Carmel +
Houston
42.0%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $570,592 | $265,062 | Houston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.6% | 42.0% | Carmel + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
370
Carmel +
Houston
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
1719
Carmel +
Houston
2339
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 442 | Carmel + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 2339 | Carmel + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
30.8%
Carmel +
Houston
38.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
9.6%
Carmel +
Houston
13.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Carmel
12.5%
Carmel +
Houston
17.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Carmel
4.4%
Carmel +
Houston
24.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Carmel
16.2%
Carmel +
Houston
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Carmel
8.2%
Carmel +
Houston
13.6%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.8% | 38.0% | Carmel + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 13.9% | Carmel + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.5% | 17.1% | Carmel + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 4.4% | 24.0% | Carmel + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 16.7% | Carmel + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 13.6% | Carmel + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
51.6°F
Houston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
42.2 in
Carmel +
Houston
48.7 in
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.2 in | 48.7 in | Carmel + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Carmel
10.1 µg/m³
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Houston +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Carmel
55.0%
Houston
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Houston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Carmel
26.4 min
Carmel +
Houston
29.6 min
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.4 min | 29.6 min | Carmel + |
Which City is Right for You?
Carmel leads in median household income at $134,602, while houston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,062. On public safety, Carmel is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Houston. Carmel has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Houston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Carmel scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.8%.
Compare More Cities
Carmel, IN vs New York, NYCarmel, IN vs Los Angeles, CACarmel, IN vs Chicago, ILCarmel, IN vs Phoenix, AZCarmel, IN vs Philadelphia, PACarmel, IN vs San Antonio, TX