Carmel IN vs Naperville IL — 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%
Naperville, IL
Illinois · Population: 149,424
- Median HH Income$150,937
- Median Home Price$618,452
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+71.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Carmel
100,501
Naperville
149,424
Naperville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Carmel
N/A
Naperville
N/A
Median Age
Carmel
40.5
Naperville
40.1
Naperville +
Foreign Born
Carmel
12.9%
Naperville
22.6%
Naperville +
White
Carmel
77.5%
Carmel +
Naperville
64.5%
Black
Carmel
3.7%
Naperville
4.4%
Naperville +
Asian
Carmel
11.6%
Naperville
21.8%
Naperville +
Hispanic
Carmel
5.0%
Naperville
7.4%
Naperville +
Spanish at Home
Carmel
N/A
Naperville
N/A
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,501 | 149,424 | Naperville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.5 | 40.1 | Naperville + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 22.6% | Naperville + |
| White | 77.5% | 64.5% | Carmel + |
| Black | 3.7% | 4.4% | Naperville + |
| Asian | 11.6% | 21.8% | Naperville + |
| Hispanic | 5.0% | 7.4% | Naperville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Carmel
$134,602
Naperville
$150,937
Naperville +
Per Capita Income
Carmel
$71,546
Carmel +
Naperville
$71,011
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Carmel
$58,697
Naperville
$68,110
Naperville +
Unemployment Rate
Carmel
2.7%
Carmel +
Naperville
4.2%
Poverty Rate
Carmel
3.7%
Carmel +
Naperville
4.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Carmel
74.5%
Carmel +
Naperville
71.7%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $134,602 | $150,937 | Naperville + |
| Per Capita Income | $71,546 | $71,011 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $68,110 | Naperville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 4.2% | Carmel + |
| Poverty Rate | 3.7% | 4.4% | Carmel + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 74.5% | 71.7% | Carmel + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Carmel
$570,592
Carmel +
Naperville
$618,452
Homeownership Rate
Carmel
74.6%
Carmel +
Naperville
74.3%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $570,592 | $618,452 | Carmel + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.6% | 74.3% | Carmel + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
370
Naperville
344
Naperville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
1719
Carmel +
Naperville
1842
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 344 | Naperville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1842 | Carmel + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
30.8%
Naperville
27.9%
Naperville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
9.6%
Naperville
8.7%
Naperville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Carmel
12.5%
Naperville
12.3%
Naperville +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Carmel
4.4%
Carmel +
Naperville
4.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Carmel
16.2%
Carmel +
Naperville
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Carmel
8.2%
Naperville
7.4%
Naperville +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.8% | 27.9% | Naperville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 8.7% | Naperville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.5% | 12.3% | Naperville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 4.4% | 4.6% | Carmel + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 16.7% | Carmel + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 7.4% | Naperville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
51.6°F
Naperville
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
42.2 in
Naperville
N/A
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Naperville, IL | 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
Naperville
9.4 µg/m³
Naperville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Carmel
55.0%
Naperville
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Naperville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Carmel
26.4 min
Carmel +
Naperville
33.8 min
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.4 min | 33.8 min | Carmel + |
Which City is Right for You?
Naperville leads in median household income at $150,937, while carmel offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $570,592. On public safety, Naperville is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in Carmel. Carmel has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Naperville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Naperville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.9%.
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