Carmel IN vs Louisville KY — 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%
Louisville, KY
Kentucky · Population: 627,210
- Median HH Income$64,731
- Median Home Price$264,957
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+33.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Carmel
100,501
Louisville
627,210
Louisville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Carmel
N/A
Louisville
N/A
Median Age
Carmel
40.5
Louisville
37.7
Louisville +
Foreign Born
Carmel
12.9%
Carmel +
Louisville
9.8%
White
Carmel
77.5%
Carmel +
Louisville
63.1%
Black
Carmel
3.7%
Louisville
23.7%
Louisville +
Asian
Carmel
11.6%
Carmel +
Louisville
2.6%
Hispanic
Carmel
5.0%
Louisville
8.6%
Louisville +
Spanish at Home
Carmel
N/A
Louisville
N/A
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,501 | 627,210 | Louisville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.5 | 37.7 | Louisville + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 9.8% | Carmel + |
| White | 77.5% | 63.1% | Carmel + |
| Black | 3.7% | 23.7% | Louisville + |
| Asian | 11.6% | 2.6% | Carmel + |
| Hispanic | 5.0% | 8.6% | Louisville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Carmel
$134,602
Carmel +
Louisville
$64,731
Per Capita Income
Carmel
$71,546
Carmel +
Louisville
$38,890
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Carmel
$58,697
Carmel +
Louisville
$52,606
Unemployment Rate
Carmel
2.7%
Carmel +
Louisville
5.0%
Poverty Rate
Carmel
3.7%
Carmel +
Louisville
16.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Carmel
74.5%
Carmel +
Louisville
33.4%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $134,602 | $64,731 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Income | $71,546 | $38,890 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $52,606 | Carmel + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 5.0% | Carmel + |
| Poverty Rate | 3.7% | 16.1% | Carmel + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 74.5% | 33.4% | Carmel + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Carmel
$570,592
Louisville
$264,957
Louisville +
Homeownership Rate
Carmel
74.6%
Carmel +
Louisville
60.6%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $570,592 | $264,957 | Louisville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.6% | 60.6% | Carmel + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
370
Louisville
223
Louisville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
1719
Louisville
1505
Louisville +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 223 | Louisville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1505 | Louisville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
30.8%
Louisville
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
9.6%
Louisville
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Carmel
12.5%
Louisville
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Carmel
4.4%
Louisville
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Carmel
16.2%
Louisville
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Carmel
8.2%
Louisville
N/A
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.8% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.5% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 4.4% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.2% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
51.6°F
Louisville
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
42.2 in
Carmel +
Louisville
43.3 in
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.2 in | 43.3 in | Carmel + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Carmel
10.1 µg/m³
Louisville
8.6 µg/m³
Louisville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Carmel
55.0%
Louisville
75.0%
Louisville +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Louisville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Louisville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Carmel
26.4 min
Louisville
24.2 min
Louisville +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.4 min | 24.2 min | Louisville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Carmel leads in median household income at $134,602, while louisville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $264,957. On public safety, Louisville is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in Carmel. Carmel has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Louisville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³).
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