Carmel IN vs Lincoln NE — 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%
Lincoln, NE
Nebraska · Population: 291,932
- Median HH Income$69,991
- Median Home Price$293,233
- Unemployment3.3%
- Bachelor's+40.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Carmel
100,501
Lincoln
291,932
Lincoln +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Carmel
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
Median Age
Carmel
40.5
Lincoln
33.4
Lincoln +
Foreign Born
Carmel
12.9%
Carmel +
Lincoln
9.2%
White
Carmel
77.5%
Lincoln
80.9%
Lincoln +
Black
Carmel
3.7%
Lincoln
4.2%
Lincoln +
Asian
Carmel
11.6%
Carmel +
Lincoln
4.5%
Hispanic
Carmel
5.0%
Lincoln
8.8%
Lincoln +
Spanish at Home
Carmel
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,501 | 291,932 | Lincoln + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.5 | 33.4 | Lincoln + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 9.2% | Carmel + |
| White | 77.5% | 80.9% | Lincoln + |
| Black | 3.7% | 4.2% | Lincoln + |
| Asian | 11.6% | 4.5% | Carmel + |
| Hispanic | 5.0% | 8.8% | Lincoln + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Carmel
$134,602
Carmel +
Lincoln
$69,991
Per Capita Income
Carmel
$71,546
Carmel +
Lincoln
$39,187
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Carmel
$58,697
Lincoln
$66,354
Lincoln +
Unemployment Rate
Carmel
2.7%
Carmel +
Lincoln
3.3%
Poverty Rate
Carmel
3.7%
Carmel +
Lincoln
12.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Carmel
74.5%
Carmel +
Lincoln
40.9%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $134,602 | $69,991 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Income | $71,546 | $39,187 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $66,354 | Lincoln + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 3.3% | Carmel + |
| Poverty Rate | 3.7% | 12.6% | Carmel + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 74.5% | 40.9% | Carmel + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Carmel
$570,592
Lincoln
$293,233
Lincoln +
Homeownership Rate
Carmel
74.6%
Carmel +
Lincoln
55.8%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $570,592 | $293,233 | Lincoln + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.6% | 55.8% | Carmel + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
370
Lincoln
294
Lincoln +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
1719
Carmel +
Lincoln
1960
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 294 | Lincoln + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1960 | Carmel + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
30.8%
Carmel +
Lincoln
35.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
9.6%
Lincoln
9.5%
Lincoln +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Carmel
12.5%
Carmel +
Lincoln
15.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Carmel
4.4%
Carmel +
Lincoln
9.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Carmel
16.2%
Carmel +
Lincoln
20.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Carmel
8.2%
Carmel +
Lincoln
12.5%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.8% | 35.1% | Carmel + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 9.5% | Lincoln + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.5% | 15.2% | Carmel + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 4.4% | 9.6% | Carmel + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 20.6% | Carmel + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 12.5% | Carmel + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
51.6°F
Lincoln
51.6°F
Tie
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
42.2 in
Lincoln
29.0 in
Lincoln +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 51.6°F | Tie |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.2 in | 29.0 in | Lincoln + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Carmel
10.1 µg/m³
Lincoln
7.6 µg/m³
Lincoln +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Carmel
55.0%
Lincoln
75.0%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Lincoln + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lincoln + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Carmel
26.4 min
Lincoln
20.0 min
Lincoln +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.4 min | 20.0 min | Lincoln + |
Which City is Right for You?
Carmel leads in median household income at $134,602, while lincoln offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $293,233. On public safety, Lincoln is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in Carmel. Carmel has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Lincoln has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Carmel scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.8%.
Compare More Cities
Carmel, IN vs New York, NYCarmel, IN vs Los Angeles, CACarmel, IN vs Chicago, ILCarmel, IN vs Houston, TXCarmel, IN vs Phoenix, AZCarmel, IN vs Philadelphia, PA