Carmel IN vs Indianapolis IN — 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%
Indianapolis, IN
Indiana · Population: 882,043
- Median HH Income$62,995
- Median Home Price$232,133
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+34.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Carmel
100,501
Indianapolis
882,043
Indianapolis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Carmel
N/A
Indianapolis
N/A
Median Age
Carmel
40.5
Indianapolis
34.1
Indianapolis +
Foreign Born
Carmel
12.9%
Carmel +
Indianapolis
11.6%
White
Carmel
77.5%
Carmel +
Indianapolis
53.6%
Black
Carmel
3.7%
Indianapolis
28.1%
Indianapolis +
Asian
Carmel
11.6%
Carmel +
Indianapolis
4.1%
Hispanic
Carmel
5.0%
Indianapolis
13.3%
Indianapolis +
Spanish at Home
Carmel
N/A
Indianapolis
N/A
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,501 | 882,043 | Indianapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.5 | 34.1 | Indianapolis + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 11.6% | Carmel + |
| White | 77.5% | 53.6% | Carmel + |
| Black | 3.7% | 28.1% | Indianapolis + |
| Asian | 11.6% | 4.1% | Carmel + |
| Hispanic | 5.0% | 13.3% | Indianapolis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Carmel
$134,602
Carmel +
Indianapolis
$62,995
Per Capita Income
Carmel
$71,546
Carmel +
Indianapolis
$36,194
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Carmel
$58,697
Indianapolis
$58,697
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Carmel
2.7%
Carmel +
Indianapolis
5.2%
Poverty Rate
Carmel
3.7%
Carmel +
Indianapolis
15.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Carmel
74.5%
Carmel +
Indianapolis
34.2%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $134,602 | $62,995 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Income | $71,546 | $36,194 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $58,697 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 5.2% | Carmel + |
| Poverty Rate | 3.7% | 15.7% | Carmel + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 74.5% | 34.2% | Carmel + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Carmel
$570,592
Indianapolis
$232,133
Indianapolis +
Homeownership Rate
Carmel
74.6%
Carmel +
Indianapolis
55.3%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $570,592 | $232,133 | Indianapolis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.6% | 55.3% | Carmel + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
370
Indianapolis
370
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
1719
Indianapolis
1719
Tie
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 370 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1719 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
30.8%
Indianapolis
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
9.6%
Indianapolis
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Carmel
12.5%
Indianapolis
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Carmel
4.4%
Indianapolis
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Carmel
16.2%
Indianapolis
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Carmel
8.2%
Indianapolis
N/A
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.8% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.5% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 4.4% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.2% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
51.6°F
Indianapolis
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
42.2 in
Indianapolis
41.8 in
Indianapolis +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.2 in | 41.8 in | Indianapolis + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Carmel
10.1 µg/m³
Indianapolis
10.1 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Carmel
55.0%
Indianapolis
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Carmel
26.4 min
Indianapolis
25.8 min
Indianapolis +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.4 min | 25.8 min | Indianapolis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Carmel leads in median household income at $134,602, while indianapolis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $232,133. On public safety, Indianapolis is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in Carmel. Carmel has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Indianapolis has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 10.1 µg/m³).
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