Carmel IN vs Madison WI — 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%
Madison, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 275,568
- Median HH Income$76,983
- Median Home Price$429,253
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Carmel
100,501
Madison
275,568
Madison +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Carmel
N/A
Madison
N/A
Median Age
Carmel
40.5
Madison
31.8
Madison +
Foreign Born
Carmel
12.9%
Carmel +
Madison
11.6%
White
Carmel
77.5%
Carmel +
Madison
73.0%
Black
Carmel
3.7%
Madison
7.1%
Madison +
Asian
Carmel
11.6%
Carmel +
Madison
8.0%
Hispanic
Carmel
5.0%
Madison
9.3%
Madison +
Spanish at Home
Carmel
N/A
Madison
N/A
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,501 | 275,568 | Madison + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.5 | 31.8 | Madison + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 11.6% | Carmel + |
| White | 77.5% | 73.0% | Carmel + |
| Black | 3.7% | 7.1% | Madison + |
| Asian | 11.6% | 8.0% | Carmel + |
| Hispanic | 5.0% | 9.3% | Madison + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Carmel
$134,602
Carmel +
Madison
$76,983
Per Capita Income
Carmel
$71,546
Carmel +
Madison
$48,557
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Carmel
$58,697
Madison
$61,837
Madison +
Unemployment Rate
Carmel
2.7%
Madison
2.7%
Madison +
Poverty Rate
Carmel
3.7%
Carmel +
Madison
16.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Carmel
74.5%
Carmel +
Madison
59.2%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $134,602 | $76,983 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Income | $71,546 | $48,557 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $61,837 | Madison + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 2.7% | Madison + |
| Poverty Rate | 3.7% | 16.2% | Carmel + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 74.5% | 59.2% | Carmel + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Carmel
$570,592
Madison
$429,253
Madison +
Homeownership Rate
Carmel
74.6%
Carmel +
Madison
46.6%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $570,592 | $429,253 | Madison + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.6% | 46.6% | Carmel + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
370
Madison
309
Madison +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
1719
Madison
1392
Madison +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 309 | Madison + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1392 | Madison + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
30.8%
Carmel +
Madison
32.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
9.6%
Madison
7.4%
Madison +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Carmel
12.5%
Carmel +
Madison
16.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Carmel
4.4%
Carmel +
Madison
7.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Carmel
16.2%
Carmel +
Madison
20.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Carmel
8.2%
Carmel +
Madison
10.2%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.8% | 32.7% | Carmel + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 7.4% | Madison + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.5% | 16.5% | Carmel + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 4.4% | 7.9% | Carmel + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 20.8% | Carmel + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 10.2% | Carmel + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
51.6°F
Madison
46.7°F
Madison +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
42.2 in
Madison
37.3 in
Madison +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 46.7°F | Madison + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.2 in | 37.3 in | Madison + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Carmel
10.1 µg/m³
Madison
9.3 µg/m³
Madison +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Carmel
55.0%
Madison
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Madison + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Carmel
26.4 min
Madison
21.2 min
Madison +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.4 min | 21.2 min | Madison + |
Which City is Right for You?
Carmel leads in median household income at $134,602, while madison offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $429,253. On public safety, Madison is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in Carmel. Madison has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Madison has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Carmel scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.8%.
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