Carmel IN vs Jersey City NJ — 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%
Jersey City, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 289,691
- Median HH Income$94,813
- Median Home Price$664,939
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+53.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Carmel
100,501
Jersey City
289,691
Jersey City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Carmel
N/A
Jersey City
N/A
Median Age
Carmel
40.5
Jersey City
34.7
Jersey City +
Foreign Born
Carmel
12.9%
Jersey City
41.3%
Jersey City +
White
Carmel
77.5%
Carmel +
Jersey City
28.7%
Black
Carmel
3.7%
Jersey City
21.4%
Jersey City +
Asian
Carmel
11.6%
Jersey City
25.8%
Jersey City +
Hispanic
Carmel
5.0%
Jersey City
25.7%
Jersey City +
Spanish at Home
Carmel
N/A
Jersey City
N/A
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,501 | 289,691 | Jersey City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.5 | 34.7 | Jersey City + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 41.3% | Jersey City + |
| White | 77.5% | 28.7% | Carmel + |
| Black | 3.7% | 21.4% | Jersey City + |
| Asian | 11.6% | 25.8% | Jersey City + |
| Hispanic | 5.0% | 25.7% | Jersey City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Carmel
$134,602
Carmel +
Jersey City
$94,813
Per Capita Income
Carmel
$71,546
Carmel +
Jersey City
$57,746
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Carmel
$58,697
Jersey City
$77,416
Jersey City +
Unemployment Rate
Carmel
2.7%
Carmel +
Jersey City
5.8%
Poverty Rate
Carmel
3.7%
Carmel +
Jersey City
15.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Carmel
74.5%
Carmel +
Jersey City
53.1%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $134,602 | $94,813 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Income | $71,546 | $57,746 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $77,416 | Jersey City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 5.8% | Carmel + |
| Poverty Rate | 3.7% | 15.6% | Carmel + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 74.5% | 53.1% | Carmel + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Carmel
$570,592
Carmel +
Jersey City
$664,939
Homeownership Rate
Carmel
74.6%
Carmel +
Jersey City
28.8%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $570,592 | $664,939 | Carmel + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.6% | 28.8% | Carmel + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
370
Jersey City
218
Jersey City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
1719
Jersey City
1426
Jersey City +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 218 | Jersey City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1426 | Jersey City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
30.8%
Jersey City
26.2%
Jersey City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
9.6%
Jersey City
9.6%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Carmel
12.5%
Carmel +
Jersey City
14.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Carmel
4.4%
Carmel +
Jersey City
12.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Carmel
16.2%
Carmel +
Jersey City
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Carmel
8.2%
Carmel +
Jersey City
10.3%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.8% | 26.2% | Jersey City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 9.6% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.5% | 14.9% | Carmel + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 4.4% | 12.0% | Carmel + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 16.3% | Carmel + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 10.3% | Carmel + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
51.6°F
Jersey City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
42.2 in
Jersey City
N/A
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.2 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Carmel
10.1 µg/m³
Jersey City
8.7 µg/m³
Jersey City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Carmel
55.0%
Jersey City
75.0%
Jersey City +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Jersey City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Jersey City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Carmel
26.4 min
Carmel +
Jersey City
40.3 min
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.4 min | 40.3 min | Carmel + |
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, Jersey City is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in Carmel. Carmel has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Jersey City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Jersey City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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