Carmel IN vs Manchester NH — 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%
Manchester, NH
New Hampshire · Population: 115,415
- Median HH Income$77,415
- Median Home Price$441,257
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Carmel
100,501
Manchester
115,415
Manchester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Carmel
N/A
Manchester
N/A
Median Age
Carmel
40.5
Manchester
37.9
Manchester +
Foreign Born
Carmel
12.9%
Manchester
14.8%
Manchester +
White
Carmel
77.5%
Carmel +
Manchester
76.7%
Black
Carmel
3.7%
Manchester
5.3%
Manchester +
Asian
Carmel
11.6%
Carmel +
Manchester
4.6%
Hispanic
Carmel
5.0%
Manchester
13.5%
Manchester +
Spanish at Home
Carmel
N/A
Manchester
N/A
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,501 | 115,415 | Manchester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.5 | 37.9 | Manchester + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 14.8% | Manchester + |
| White | 77.5% | 76.7% | Carmel + |
| Black | 3.7% | 5.3% | Manchester + |
| Asian | 11.6% | 4.6% | Carmel + |
| Hispanic | 5.0% | 13.5% | Manchester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Carmel
$134,602
Carmel +
Manchester
$77,415
Per Capita Income
Carmel
$71,546
Carmel +
Manchester
$44,220
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Carmel
$58,697
Manchester
$75,331
Manchester +
Unemployment Rate
Carmel
2.7%
Carmel +
Manchester
3.8%
Poverty Rate
Carmel
3.7%
Carmel +
Manchester
10.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Carmel
74.5%
Carmel +
Manchester
33.5%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $134,602 | $77,415 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Income | $71,546 | $44,220 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $75,331 | Manchester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 3.8% | Carmel + |
| Poverty Rate | 3.7% | 10.7% | Carmel + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 74.5% | 33.5% | Carmel + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Carmel
$570,592
Manchester
$441,257
Manchester +
Homeownership Rate
Carmel
74.6%
Carmel +
Manchester
49.3%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $570,592 | $441,257 | Manchester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.6% | 49.3% | Carmel + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
370
Manchester
134
Manchester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
1719
Manchester
1048
Manchester +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 134 | Manchester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1048 | Manchester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
30.8%
Carmel +
Manchester
35.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
9.6%
Manchester
9.4%
Manchester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Carmel
12.5%
Carmel +
Manchester
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Carmel
4.4%
Carmel +
Manchester
9.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Carmel
16.2%
Carmel +
Manchester
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Carmel
8.2%
Carmel +
Manchester
12.9%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.8% | 35.0% | Carmel + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 9.4% | Manchester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.5% | 17.4% | Carmel + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 4.4% | 9.9% | Carmel + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 16.4% | Carmel + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 12.9% | Carmel + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
51.6°F
Manchester
49.2°F
Manchester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
42.2 in
Carmel +
Manchester
44.6 in
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 49.2°F | Manchester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.2 in | 44.6 in | Carmel + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Carmel
10.1 µg/m³
Manchester
5.9 µg/m³
Manchester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Carmel
55.0%
Manchester
75.0%
Manchester +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Manchester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Manchester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Carmel
26.4 min
Manchester
25.7 min
Manchester +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.4 min | 25.7 min | Manchester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Carmel leads in median household income at $134,602, while manchester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $441,257. On public safety, Manchester is safer with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in Carmel. Carmel has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Manchester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Carmel scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.8%.
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