Carmel IN vs New Haven CT — 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%
New Haven, CT
Connecticut · Population: 132,893
- Median HH Income$53,771
- Median Home Price$330,564
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+37.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Carmel
100,501
New Haven
132,893
New Haven +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Carmel
N/A
New Haven
N/A
Median Age
Carmel
40.5
New Haven
31.9
New Haven +
Foreign Born
Carmel
12.9%
New Haven
17.7%
New Haven +
White
Carmel
77.5%
Carmel +
New Haven
36.8%
Black
Carmel
3.7%
New Haven
30.6%
New Haven +
Asian
Carmel
11.6%
Carmel +
New Haven
5.2%
Hispanic
Carmel
5.0%
New Haven
31.2%
New Haven +
Spanish at Home
Carmel
N/A
New Haven
N/A
| Metric | Carmel, IN | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,501 | 132,893 | New Haven + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.5 | 31.9 | New Haven + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 17.7% | New Haven + |
| White | 77.5% | 36.8% | Carmel + |
| Black | 3.7% | 30.6% | New Haven + |
| Asian | 11.6% | 5.2% | Carmel + |
| Hispanic | 5.0% | 31.2% | New Haven + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Carmel
$134,602
Carmel +
New Haven
$53,771
Per Capita Income
Carmel
$71,546
Carmel +
New Haven
$34,482
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Carmel
$58,697
New Haven
$85,393
New Haven +
Unemployment Rate
Carmel
2.7%
Carmel +
New Haven
7.7%
Poverty Rate
Carmel
3.7%
Carmel +
New Haven
25.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Carmel
74.5%
Carmel +
New Haven
37.7%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $134,602 | $53,771 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Income | $71,546 | $34,482 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $85,393 | New Haven + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 7.7% | Carmel + |
| Poverty Rate | 3.7% | 25.0% | Carmel + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 74.5% | 37.7% | Carmel + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Carmel
$570,592
New Haven
$330,564
New Haven +
Homeownership Rate
Carmel
74.6%
Carmel +
New Haven
28.4%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $570,592 | $330,564 | New Haven + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.6% | 28.4% | Carmel + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
370
New Haven
156
New Haven +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
1719
New Haven
1524
New Haven +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 156 | New Haven + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1524 | New Haven + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
30.8%
Carmel +
New Haven
37.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
9.6%
Carmel +
New Haven
11.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Carmel
12.5%
Carmel +
New Haven
18.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Carmel
4.4%
Carmel +
New Haven
14.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Carmel
16.2%
New Haven
14.2%
New Haven +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Carmel
8.2%
Carmel +
New Haven
13.2%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.8% | 37.9% | Carmel + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 11.7% | Carmel + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.5% | 18.9% | Carmel + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 4.4% | 14.7% | Carmel + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 14.2% | New Haven + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 13.2% | Carmel + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
51.6°F
Carmel +
New Haven
52.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
42.2 in
Carmel +
New Haven
47.1 in
| Metric | Carmel, IN | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 52.2°F | Carmel + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.2 in | 47.1 in | Carmel + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Carmel
10.1 µg/m³
New Haven
7.7 µg/m³
New Haven +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Carmel
55.0%
New Haven
75.0%
New Haven +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | New Haven + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | New Haven + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Carmel
26.4 min
New Haven
23.0 min
New Haven +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.4 min | 23.0 min | New Haven + |
Which City is Right for You?
Carmel leads in median household income at $134,602, while new Haven offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $330,564. On public safety, New Haven is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in Carmel. Carmel has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and New Haven has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Carmel scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.8%.
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