Carmel IN vs Jacksonville FL — 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%
Jacksonville, FL
Florida · Population: 961,739
- Median HH Income$66,981
- Median Home Price$286,396
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Carmel
100,501
Jacksonville
961,739
Jacksonville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Carmel
N/A
Jacksonville
N/A
Median Age
Carmel
40.5
Jacksonville
36.4
Jacksonville +
Foreign Born
Carmel
12.9%
Carmel +
Jacksonville
12.2%
White
Carmel
77.5%
Carmel +
Jacksonville
51.2%
Black
Carmel
3.7%
Jacksonville
30.1%
Jacksonville +
Asian
Carmel
11.6%
Carmel +
Jacksonville
4.9%
Hispanic
Carmel
5.0%
Jacksonville
12.0%
Jacksonville +
Spanish at Home
Carmel
N/A
Jacksonville
N/A
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,501 | 961,739 | Jacksonville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.5 | 36.4 | Jacksonville + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 12.2% | Carmel + |
| White | 77.5% | 51.2% | Carmel + |
| Black | 3.7% | 30.1% | Jacksonville + |
| Asian | 11.6% | 4.9% | Carmel + |
| Hispanic | 5.0% | 12.0% | Jacksonville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Carmel
$134,602
Carmel +
Jacksonville
$66,981
Per Capita Income
Carmel
$71,546
Carmel +
Jacksonville
$37,269
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Carmel
$58,697
Jacksonville
$65,328
Jacksonville +
Unemployment Rate
Carmel
2.7%
Carmel +
Jacksonville
4.6%
Poverty Rate
Carmel
3.7%
Carmel +
Jacksonville
15.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Carmel
74.5%
Carmel +
Jacksonville
31.9%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $134,602 | $66,981 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Income | $71,546 | $37,269 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $65,328 | Jacksonville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 4.6% | Carmel + |
| Poverty Rate | 3.7% | 15.0% | Carmel + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 74.5% | 31.9% | Carmel + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Carmel
$570,592
Jacksonville
$286,396
Jacksonville +
Homeownership Rate
Carmel
74.6%
Carmel +
Jacksonville
57.4%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $570,592 | $286,396 | Jacksonville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.6% | 57.4% | Carmel + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
370
Jacksonville
324
Jacksonville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
1719
Jacksonville
1453
Jacksonville +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 324 | Jacksonville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1453 | Jacksonville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
30.8%
Carmel +
Jacksonville
34.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
9.6%
Carmel +
Jacksonville
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Carmel
12.5%
Carmel +
Jacksonville
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Carmel
4.4%
Carmel +
Jacksonville
13.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Carmel
16.2%
Jacksonville
15.2%
Jacksonville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Carmel
8.2%
Carmel +
Jacksonville
14.8%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.8% | 34.8% | Carmel + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 13.2% | Carmel + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.5% | 18.8% | Carmel + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 4.4% | 13.9% | Carmel + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 15.2% | Jacksonville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 14.8% | Carmel + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
51.6°F
Carmel +
Jacksonville
70.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
42.2 in
Carmel +
Jacksonville
50.0 in
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 70.2°F | Carmel + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.2 in | 50.0 in | Carmel + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Carmel
10.1 µg/m³
Jacksonville
7.2 µg/m³
Jacksonville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Carmel
55.0%
Jacksonville
75.0%
Jacksonville +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Jacksonville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Jacksonville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Carmel
26.4 min
Jacksonville
26.0 min
Jacksonville +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.4 min | 26.0 min | Jacksonville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Carmel leads in median household income at $134,602, while jacksonville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $286,396. On public safety, Jacksonville is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in Carmel. Carmel has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Jacksonville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Carmel scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.8%.
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