Carmel IN vs Macon GA — 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%
Macon, GA
Georgia · Population: 61,773
- Median HH Income$70,086
- Median Home Price$171,916
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+46.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Carmel
100,501
Carmel +
Macon
61,773
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Carmel
N/A
Macon
N/A
Median Age
Carmel
40.5
Macon
35.2
Macon +
Foreign Born
Carmel
12.9%
Macon
18.3%
Macon +
White
Carmel
77.5%
Carmel +
Macon
43.7%
Black
Carmel
3.7%
Macon
30.4%
Macon +
Asian
Carmel
11.6%
Carmel +
Macon
2.0%
Hispanic
Carmel
5.0%
Macon
19.8%
Macon +
Spanish at Home
Carmel
N/A
Macon
N/A
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,501 | 61,773 | Carmel + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.5 | 35.2 | Macon + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 18.3% | Macon + |
| White | 77.5% | 43.7% | Carmel + |
| Black | 3.7% | 30.4% | Macon + |
| Asian | 11.6% | 2.0% | Carmel + |
| Hispanic | 5.0% | 19.8% | Macon + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Carmel
$134,602
Carmel +
Macon
$70,086
Per Capita Income
Carmel
$71,546
Carmel +
Macon
$43,074
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Carmel
$58,697
Carmel +
Macon
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Carmel
2.7%
Carmel +
Macon
3.9%
Poverty Rate
Carmel
3.7%
Carmel +
Macon
12.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Carmel
74.5%
Carmel +
Macon
46.8%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $134,602 | $70,086 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Income | $71,546 | $43,074 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $57,405 | Carmel + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 3.9% | Carmel + |
| Poverty Rate | 3.7% | 12.7% | Carmel + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 74.5% | 46.8% | Carmel + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Carmel
$570,592
Macon
$171,916
Macon +
Homeownership Rate
Carmel
74.6%
Carmel +
Macon
47.2%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $570,592 | $171,916 | Macon + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.6% | 47.2% | Carmel + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
370
Carmel +
Macon
392
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
1719
Carmel +
Macon
1752
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 392 | Carmel + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1752 | Carmel + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
30.8%
Macon
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
9.6%
Macon
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Carmel
12.5%
Macon
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Carmel
4.4%
Macon
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Carmel
16.2%
Macon
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Carmel
8.2%
Macon
N/A
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Macon, GA | 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
Carmel +
Macon
64.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
42.2 in
Carmel +
Macon
45.7 in
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 64.6°F | Carmel + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.2 in | 45.7 in | Carmel + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Carmel
10.1 µg/m³
Macon
9.8 µg/m³
Macon +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Carmel
55.0%
Macon
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Macon + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Carmel
26.4 min
Carmel +
Macon
30.2 min
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.4 min | 30.2 min | Carmel + |
Which City is Right for You?
Carmel leads in median household income at $134,602, while macon offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $171,916. On public safety, Carmel is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Macon. Carmel has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Macon has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.8 µg/m³).
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