Carmel IN vs Kent WA — 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%
Kent, WA
Washington · Population: 84,389
- Median HH Income$72,867
- Median Home Price$657,911
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+27.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Carmel
100,501
Carmel +
Kent
84,389
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Carmel
N/A
Kent
N/A
Median Age
Carmel
40.5
Kent
35.8
Kent +
Foreign Born
Carmel
12.9%
Kent
14.1%
Kent +
White
Carmel
77.5%
Carmel +
Kent
67.2%
Black
Carmel
3.7%
Carmel +
Kent
2.3%
Asian
Carmel
11.6%
Carmel +
Kent
1.9%
Hispanic
Carmel
5.0%
Kent
31.8%
Kent +
Spanish at Home
Carmel
N/A
Kent
N/A
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,501 | 84,389 | Carmel + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.5 | 35.8 | Kent + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 14.1% | Kent + |
| White | 77.5% | 67.2% | Carmel + |
| Black | 3.7% | 2.3% | Carmel + |
| Asian | 11.6% | 1.9% | Carmel + |
| Hispanic | 5.0% | 31.8% | Kent + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Carmel
$134,602
Carmel +
Kent
$72,867
Per Capita Income
Carmel
$71,546
Carmel +
Kent
$35,662
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Carmel
$58,697
Kent
$76,120
Kent +
Unemployment Rate
Carmel
2.7%
Carmel +
Kent
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Carmel
3.7%
Carmel +
Kent
13.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Carmel
74.5%
Carmel +
Kent
27.0%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $134,602 | $72,867 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Income | $71,546 | $35,662 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $76,120 | Kent + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 4.9% | Carmel + |
| Poverty Rate | 3.7% | 13.9% | Carmel + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 74.5% | 27.0% | Carmel + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Carmel
$570,592
Carmel +
Kent
$657,911
Homeownership Rate
Carmel
74.6%
Carmel +
Kent
62.8%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $570,592 | $657,911 | Carmel + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.6% | 62.8% | Carmel + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
370
Carmel +
Kent
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
1719
Carmel +
Kent
3409
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 383 | Carmel + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 3409 | Carmel + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
30.8%
Kent
25.7%
Kent +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
9.6%
Kent
9.3%
Kent +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Carmel
12.5%
Carmel +
Kent
17.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Carmel
4.4%
Carmel +
Kent
10.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Carmel
16.2%
Kent
15.7%
Kent +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Carmel
8.2%
Carmel +
Kent
10.3%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.8% | 25.7% | Kent + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 9.3% | Kent + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.5% | 17.2% | Carmel + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 4.4% | 10.6% | Carmel + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 15.7% | Kent + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 10.3% | Carmel + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
51.6°F
Carmel +
Kent
53.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
42.2 in
Kent
39.1 in
Kent +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 53.2°F | Carmel + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.2 in | 39.1 in | Kent + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Carmel
10.1 µg/m³
Kent
7.5 µg/m³
Kent +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Carmel
55.0%
Kent
75.0%
Kent +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Kent + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Kent + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Carmel
26.4 min
Kent
23.0 min
Kent +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.4 min | 23.0 min | Kent + |
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 383 in Kent. Carmel has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Kent has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Kent scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.7%.
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