Carmel IN vs Lakeland 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%
Lakeland, FL
Florida · Population: 82,506
- Median HH Income$60,465
- Median Home Price$312,001
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+26.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Carmel
100,501
Carmel +
Lakeland
82,506
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Carmel
N/A
Lakeland
N/A
Median Age
Carmel
40.5
Carmel +
Lakeland
48.4
Foreign Born
Carmel
12.9%
Carmel +
Lakeland
12.9%
White
Carmel
77.5%
Carmel +
Lakeland
74.1%
Black
Carmel
3.7%
Lakeland
8.8%
Lakeland +
Asian
Carmel
11.6%
Carmel +
Lakeland
3.7%
Hispanic
Carmel
5.0%
Lakeland
14.4%
Lakeland +
Spanish at Home
Carmel
N/A
Lakeland
N/A
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,501 | 82,506 | Carmel + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.5 | 48.4 | Carmel + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 12.9% | Carmel + |
| White | 77.5% | 74.1% | Carmel + |
| Black | 3.7% | 8.8% | Lakeland + |
| Asian | 11.6% | 3.7% | Carmel + |
| Hispanic | 5.0% | 14.4% | Lakeland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Carmel
$134,602
Carmel +
Lakeland
$60,465
Per Capita Income
Carmel
$71,546
Carmel +
Lakeland
$36,322
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Carmel
$58,697
Lakeland
$65,328
Lakeland +
Unemployment Rate
Carmel
2.7%
Carmel +
Lakeland
4.3%
Poverty Rate
Carmel
3.7%
Carmel +
Lakeland
12.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Carmel
74.5%
Carmel +
Lakeland
26.8%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $134,602 | $60,465 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Income | $71,546 | $36,322 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $65,328 | Lakeland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 4.3% | Carmel + |
| Poverty Rate | 3.7% | 12.0% | Carmel + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 74.5% | 26.8% | Carmel + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Carmel
$570,592
Lakeland
$312,001
Lakeland +
Homeownership Rate
Carmel
74.6%
Carmel +
Lakeland
61.1%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $570,592 | $312,001 | Lakeland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.6% | 61.1% | Carmel + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
370
Lakeland
324
Lakeland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
1719
Lakeland
1453
Lakeland +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 324 | Lakeland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1453 | Lakeland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
30.8%
Carmel +
Lakeland
38.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
9.6%
Carmel +
Lakeland
13.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Carmel
12.5%
Carmel +
Lakeland
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Carmel
4.4%
Carmel +
Lakeland
16.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Carmel
16.2%
Lakeland
14.9%
Lakeland +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Carmel
8.2%
Carmel +
Lakeland
14.1%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.8% | 38.9% | Carmel + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 13.3% | Carmel + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.5% | 18.3% | Carmel + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 4.4% | 16.4% | Carmel + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 14.9% | Lakeland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 14.1% | Carmel + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
51.6°F
Carmel +
Lakeland
72.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
42.2 in
Carmel +
Lakeland
54.8 in
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 72.6°F | Carmel + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.2 in | 54.8 in | Carmel + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Carmel
10.1 µg/m³
Lakeland
7.2 µg/m³
Lakeland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Carmel
55.0%
Lakeland
75.0%
Lakeland +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Lakeland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lakeland + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Carmel
26.4 min
Lakeland
25.6 min
Lakeland +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.4 min | 25.6 min | Lakeland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Carmel leads in median household income at $134,602, while lakeland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $312,001. On public safety, Lakeland 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 Lakeland 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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