Carmel IN vs Lafayette LA — 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%
Lafayette, LA
Louisiana · Population: 121,537
- Median HH Income$61,454
- Median Home Price$225,222
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+40.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Carmel
100,501
Lafayette
121,537
Lafayette +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Carmel
N/A
Lafayette
N/A
Median Age
Carmel
40.5
Lafayette
37.1
Lafayette +
Foreign Born
Carmel
12.9%
Carmel +
Lafayette
6.6%
White
Carmel
77.5%
Carmel +
Lafayette
59.1%
Black
Carmel
3.7%
Lafayette
28.6%
Lafayette +
Asian
Carmel
11.6%
Carmel +
Lafayette
2.1%
Hispanic
Carmel
5.0%
Lafayette
7.6%
Lafayette +
Spanish at Home
Carmel
N/A
Lafayette
N/A
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,501 | 121,537 | Lafayette + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.5 | 37.1 | Lafayette + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 6.6% | Carmel + |
| White | 77.5% | 59.1% | Carmel + |
| Black | 3.7% | 28.6% | Lafayette + |
| Asian | 11.6% | 2.1% | Carmel + |
| Hispanic | 5.0% | 7.6% | Lafayette + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Carmel
$134,602
Carmel +
Lafayette
$61,454
Per Capita Income
Carmel
$71,546
Carmel +
Lafayette
$39,861
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Carmel
$58,697
Carmel +
Lafayette
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Carmel
2.7%
Carmel +
Lafayette
5.1%
Poverty Rate
Carmel
3.7%
Carmel +
Lafayette
19.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Carmel
74.5%
Carmel +
Lafayette
40.6%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $134,602 | $61,454 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Income | $71,546 | $39,861 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $55,297 | Carmel + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 5.1% | Carmel + |
| Poverty Rate | 3.7% | 19.1% | Carmel + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 74.5% | 40.6% | Carmel + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Carmel
$570,592
Lafayette
$225,222
Lafayette +
Homeownership Rate
Carmel
74.6%
Carmel +
Lafayette
55.0%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $570,592 | $225,222 | Lafayette + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.6% | 55.0% | Carmel + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
370
Carmel +
Lafayette
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
1719
Carmel +
Lafayette
2824
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 643 | Carmel + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 2824 | Carmel + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
30.8%
Carmel +
Lafayette
34.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
9.6%
Carmel +
Lafayette
14.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Carmel
12.5%
Carmel +
Lafayette
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Carmel
4.4%
Carmel +
Lafayette
8.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Carmel
16.2%
Carmel +
Lafayette
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Carmel
8.2%
Carmel +
Lafayette
16.1%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.8% | 34.5% | Carmel + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 14.0% | Carmel + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.5% | 18.4% | Carmel + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 4.4% | 8.3% | Carmel + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 17.8% | Carmel + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 16.1% | Carmel + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
51.6°F
Carmel +
Lafayette
67.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
42.2 in
Carmel +
Lafayette
61.0 in
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 67.6°F | Carmel + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.2 in | 61.0 in | Carmel + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Carmel
10.1 µg/m³
Lafayette
8.9 µg/m³
Lafayette +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Carmel
55.0%
Lafayette
75.0%
Lafayette +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Lafayette + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lafayette + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Carmel
26.4 min
Lafayette
21.5 min
Lafayette +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.4 min | 21.5 min | Lafayette + |
Which City is Right for You?
Carmel leads in median household income at $134,602, while lafayette offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $225,222. On public safety, Carmel is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lafayette. Carmel has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Lafayette has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Carmel scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.8%.
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