Carmel IN vs Irvine CA — 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%
Irvine, CA
California · Population: 308,160
- Median HH Income$129,647
- Median Home Price$1,566,872
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+70.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Carmel
100,501
Irvine
308,160
Irvine +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Carmel
N/A
Irvine
N/A
Median Age
Carmel
40.5
Irvine
33.9
Irvine +
Foreign Born
Carmel
12.9%
Irvine
39.3%
Irvine +
White
Carmel
77.5%
Carmel +
Irvine
38.7%
Black
Carmel
3.7%
Carmel +
Irvine
2.0%
Asian
Carmel
11.6%
Irvine
44.1%
Irvine +
Hispanic
Carmel
5.0%
Irvine
11.3%
Irvine +
Spanish at Home
Carmel
N/A
Irvine
N/A
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,501 | 308,160 | Irvine + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.5 | 33.9 | Irvine + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 39.3% | Irvine + |
| White | 77.5% | 38.7% | Carmel + |
| Black | 3.7% | 2.0% | Carmel + |
| Asian | 11.6% | 44.1% | Irvine + |
| Hispanic | 5.0% | 11.3% | Irvine + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Carmel
$134,602
Carmel +
Irvine
$129,647
Per Capita Income
Carmel
$71,546
Carmel +
Irvine
$62,149
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Carmel
$58,697
Irvine
$77,230
Irvine +
Unemployment Rate
Carmel
2.7%
Carmel +
Irvine
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Carmel
3.7%
Carmel +
Irvine
11.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Carmel
74.5%
Carmel +
Irvine
70.6%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $134,602 | $129,647 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Income | $71,546 | $62,149 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $77,230 | Irvine + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 5.5% | Carmel + |
| Poverty Rate | 3.7% | 11.7% | Carmel + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 74.5% | 70.6% | Carmel + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Carmel
$570,592
Carmel +
Irvine
$1,566,872
Homeownership Rate
Carmel
74.6%
Carmel +
Irvine
43.8%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $570,592 | $1,566,872 | Carmel + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.6% | 43.8% | Carmel + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
370
Carmel +
Irvine
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
1719
Carmel +
Irvine
2388
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 503 | Carmel + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 2388 | Carmel + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
30.8%
Irvine
19.2%
Irvine +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
9.6%
Irvine
8.3%
Irvine +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Carmel
12.5%
Carmel +
Irvine
15.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Carmel
4.4%
Carmel +
Irvine
5.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Carmel
16.2%
Irvine
15.2%
Irvine +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Carmel
8.2%
Irvine
6.9%
Irvine +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.8% | 19.2% | Irvine + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 8.3% | Irvine + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.5% | 15.4% | Carmel + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 4.4% | 5.0% | Carmel + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 15.2% | Irvine + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 6.9% | Irvine + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
51.6°F
Carmel +
Irvine
65.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
42.2 in
Irvine
14.3 in
Irvine +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 65.3°F | Carmel + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.2 in | 14.3 in | Irvine + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Carmel
10.1 µg/m³
Irvine
7.9 µg/m³
Irvine +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Carmel
55.0%
Irvine
75.0%
Irvine +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Irvine + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Irvine + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Carmel
26.4 min
Irvine
26.0 min
Irvine +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.4 min | 26.0 min | Irvine + |
Which City is Right for You?
Carmel leads in median household income at $134,602, while carmel offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $570,592. On public safety, Carmel is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Irvine. Carmel has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Irvine has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Irvine scores better with a lower obesity rate of 19.2%.
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