Carmel IN vs Meridian ID — 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%
Meridian, ID
Idaho · Population: 124,865
- Median HH Income$98,686
- Median Home Price$534,732
- Unemployment2.4%
- Bachelor's+44.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Carmel
100,501
Meridian
124,865
Meridian +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Carmel
N/A
Meridian
N/A
Median Age
Carmel
40.5
Meridian
37.4
Meridian +
Foreign Born
Carmel
12.9%
Carmel +
Meridian
4.8%
White
Carmel
77.5%
Meridian
84.3%
Meridian +
Black
Carmel
3.7%
Carmel +
Meridian
1.6%
Asian
Carmel
11.6%
Carmel +
Meridian
2.1%
Hispanic
Carmel
5.0%
Meridian
9.5%
Meridian +
Spanish at Home
Carmel
N/A
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,501 | 124,865 | Meridian + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.5 | 37.4 | Meridian + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 4.8% | Carmel + |
| White | 77.5% | 84.3% | Meridian + |
| Black | 3.7% | 1.6% | Carmel + |
| Asian | 11.6% | 2.1% | Carmel + |
| Hispanic | 5.0% | 9.5% | Meridian + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Carmel
$134,602
Carmel +
Meridian
$98,686
Per Capita Income
Carmel
$71,546
Carmel +
Meridian
$47,751
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Carmel
$58,697
Carmel +
Meridian
$57,074
Unemployment Rate
Carmel
2.7%
Meridian
2.4%
Meridian +
Poverty Rate
Carmel
3.7%
Carmel +
Meridian
6.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Carmel
74.5%
Carmel +
Meridian
44.4%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $134,602 | $98,686 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Income | $71,546 | $47,751 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $57,074 | Carmel + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 2.4% | Meridian + |
| Poverty Rate | 3.7% | 6.2% | Carmel + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 74.5% | 44.4% | Carmel + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Carmel
$570,592
Meridian
$534,732
Meridian +
Homeownership Rate
Carmel
74.6%
Meridian
76.1%
Meridian +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $570,592 | $534,732 | Meridian + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.6% | 76.1% | Meridian + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
370
Meridian
251
Meridian +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
1719
Meridian
958
Meridian +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 251 | Meridian + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 958 | Meridian + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
30.8%
Meridian
28.8%
Meridian +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
9.6%
Meridian
8.4%
Meridian +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Carmel
12.5%
Carmel +
Meridian
15.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Carmel
4.4%
Carmel +
Meridian
8.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Carmel
16.2%
Carmel +
Meridian
17.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Carmel
8.2%
Carmel +
Meridian
10.3%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.8% | 28.8% | Meridian + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 8.4% | Meridian + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.5% | 15.5% | Carmel + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 4.4% | 8.2% | Carmel + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 17.6% | Carmel + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 10.3% | Carmel + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
51.6°F
Meridian
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
42.2 in
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.2 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Carmel
10.1 µg/m³
Meridian
7.7 µg/m³
Meridian +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Carmel
55.0%
Meridian
75.0%
Meridian +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Meridian + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Meridian + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Carmel
26.4 min
Meridian
23.6 min
Meridian +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.4 min | 23.6 min | Meridian + |
Which City is Right for You?
Carmel leads in median household income at $134,602, while meridian offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $534,732. On public safety, Meridian is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in Carmel. Meridian has a lower unemployment rate at 2.4%, and Meridian has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Meridian scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.8%.
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