Carmel IN vs Milwaukee 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%
Milwaukee, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 569,756
- Median HH Income$51,888
- Median Home Price$226,456
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+26.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Carmel
100,501
Milwaukee
569,756
Milwaukee +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Carmel
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
Median Age
Carmel
40.5
Milwaukee
32.2
Milwaukee +
Foreign Born
Carmel
12.9%
Carmel +
Milwaukee
10.8%
White
Carmel
77.5%
Carmel +
Milwaukee
36.5%
Black
Carmel
3.7%
Milwaukee
38.6%
Milwaukee +
Asian
Carmel
11.6%
Carmel +
Milwaukee
4.8%
Hispanic
Carmel
5.0%
Milwaukee
20.7%
Milwaukee +
Spanish at Home
Carmel
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,501 | 569,756 | Milwaukee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.5 | 32.2 | Milwaukee + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 10.8% | Carmel + |
| White | 77.5% | 36.5% | Carmel + |
| Black | 3.7% | 38.6% | Milwaukee + |
| Asian | 11.6% | 4.8% | Carmel + |
| Hispanic | 5.0% | 20.7% | Milwaukee + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Carmel
$134,602
Carmel +
Milwaukee
$51,888
Per Capita Income
Carmel
$71,546
Carmel +
Milwaukee
$29,679
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Carmel
$58,697
Milwaukee
$61,837
Milwaukee +
Unemployment Rate
Carmel
2.7%
Carmel +
Milwaukee
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Carmel
3.7%
Carmel +
Milwaukee
23.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Carmel
74.5%
Carmel +
Milwaukee
26.6%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $134,602 | $51,888 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Income | $71,546 | $29,679 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $61,837 | Milwaukee + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 5.9% | Carmel + |
| Poverty Rate | 3.7% | 23.3% | Carmel + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 74.5% | 26.6% | Carmel + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Carmel
$570,592
Milwaukee
$226,456
Milwaukee +
Homeownership Rate
Carmel
74.6%
Carmel +
Milwaukee
41.5%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $570,592 | $226,456 | Milwaukee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.6% | 41.5% | Carmel + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
370
Milwaukee
309
Milwaukee +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
1719
Milwaukee
1392
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 309 | Milwaukee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1392 | Milwaukee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
30.8%
Carmel +
Milwaukee
41.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
9.6%
Carmel +
Milwaukee
14.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Carmel
12.5%
Carmel +
Milwaukee
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Carmel
4.4%
Carmel +
Milwaukee
14.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Carmel
16.2%
Carmel +
Milwaukee
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Carmel
8.2%
Carmel +
Milwaukee
17.3%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.8% | 41.8% | Carmel + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 14.7% | Carmel + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.5% | 19.1% | Carmel + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 4.4% | 14.1% | Carmel + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 16.3% | Carmel + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 17.3% | Carmel + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
51.6°F
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Milwaukee +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
42.2 in
Milwaukee
35.5 in
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 47.5°F | Milwaukee + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.2 in | 35.5 in | Milwaukee + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Carmel
10.1 µg/m³
Milwaukee
9.3 µg/m³
Milwaukee +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Carmel
55.0%
Milwaukee
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Milwaukee + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Carmel
26.4 min
Milwaukee
24.1 min
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.4 min | 24.1 min | Milwaukee + |
Which City is Right for You?
Carmel leads in median household income at $134,602, while milwaukee offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,456. On public safety, Milwaukee is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in Carmel. Carmel has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Milwaukee 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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